If you're the type who wants to be notified of every change in the status of your online orders, Apple has introduced just such a service for U.S. customers, which sends a text message when your order status changes.

Apple has introduced text message-based order status notifications to its U.S. online store, which now gives customers another method for keeping tabs on when their next Mac or iOS gadget is on the way.

"Apple Notifications is a text-message-based alerts service designed to keep you up-to-date on your shipment and/or pickup notification status," the company explains on its website. "In addition to standard email notifications, you can also request text message updates when you're in Checkout. The number of messages you'll receive will vary depending on the orders you placed."

Text messages are sent between 8am and 9pm in your local time zone, and will be sent when an order ships or is available for pickup; information will include the order number and a link to access your order status online for further details.

Apple Notifications can only be sent to supported carriers which include Alltel, AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile USA, and customers can opt out of the service at any time by replying with the word "STOP" to any of the text messages.

Not exactly what we were hoping for after almost six hours of the online store being down on Tuesday night, but just one more generous courtesy from our friends in Cupertino.

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