Apple has launched its new effort to educate us all, with free classes now available at all 495 Apple Stores around the world. Today at Apple is a concerted effort to educate the masses in subjects including coding and photography. All made possible using Apple products, naturally.

In April, Apple announced a new initiative designed to educate its users in the way of the force various subjects. Most of the subjects are creative in nature, but some, such as coding, are more technical. The one thing they all have in common is they take place in or around Apple Stores.

Today at Apple: Education for All

Today at Apple has now launched worldwide. To facilitate the initiative, Apple has launched a dedicated website where you can view all available classes and sign up to attend the sessions that interest you. And there's 4,000 sessions per day to choose from across all 495 Apple Stores.

According to Apple's original press release detailing Today at Apple, the sessions will be "led by highly-trained team members, and in select cities world-class artists, photographers and musicians, teaching sessions from basics and how-to lessons to professional-level programs".

Sessions include Photo Walks teaching photography skills, Sketch Walks teaching art skills, tutorials to help you get more out of Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X, coding sessions introducing coders to Swift; and lessons designed to help kids learn to make music and films.

Angela Ahrendts, Apple's senior vice president of retail, and the brains behind Today at Apple, said, "We’re creating a modern-day town square, where everyone is welcome in a space where the best of Apple comes together to connect with one another, discover a new passion, or take their skill to the next level. We think it will be a fun and enlightening experience for everyone who joins.”

Drawn Into the Apple Ecosystem

It should go without saying that this isn't a selfless act by Apple. Because all of the educational classes being offered utilize Apple products in some way. Whether that's shooting better photographs on your iPhone, creating art on your iPad, or programming on your Mac.

That doesn't make the classes any less valuable, but it's something to bear in mind when signing up to attend sessions. Especially if you're not too deep down the Apple rabbithole. Because a few free classes later, you may find yourself being inextricably drawn into the Apple ecosystem.

What do you think of Today at Apple? Will you be signing up for some classes? Do you trust Apple's motives here? Or think this is all about getting people to buy more Apple products? Should I stop being so damn cynical? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Franklin Heijnen via Flickr