I heard that there will only be two stores - at least initially - in malls. And though M$ is trying to design the retail space to be different, in the end they are turning out to be very similar to the Apple stores. It totally is a copy-cat. And like everyone else has asked - for what purpose? So you can go in and download the latest version of Windows 7 as opposed to buying it in a box store? Gimme a break.
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Microsoft Recruits Former Apple Retail Store Exec for Retail Initiative
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Sure there is a lot of nay saying going on right now but I have a feeling the timing of this is going to coincide with some new technologies and products about to role out.
I would imagine there will be a strong push for the Xbox 360 as the media gaming hub and flaunting netfilx 1080p while using a PC as a media server/storage device.
I would imagine there will be a strong push for the Xbox 360 as the media gaming hub and flaunting netfilx 1080p while using a PC as a media server/storage device.
Window dressing without any punch; I'm wondering if the first store to open, will be the first store to CLOSE???
Only thing I like from Microsoft is the Xbox 360 it does lock up (a LOT) But live is great however the points are a big ripoff. In the end its alright but if the PS3 had the same online play and game selection I would throw it out and never look back. Cant wait to go into a store lock up the most expensive PC and ask why this never happens to my mac!
ok then
like the first computer, mp3 player, mobile, earphones, were invented by apple!
dont hate
like the first computer, mp3 player, mobile, earphones, were invented by apple!
dont hate
ahhh, here we go. the first person to defend MS by accusing us of suggesting that APPLE invented the world. no one here has claimed APPLE invented retail stores, phones, MP3 players, etc.
try again. the point to all of this is MS has a history of not being original, and immolating the competition in pretty distinctive ways. can the fact that they hired THE former APPLE retail guru to lead this charge be any more painfully obvious?!
I swear, if Apple started advertising by embroidering its logo on doggie sweaters and setting dogs loose around the city, the next week Microsoft would have hired away their breeder and acquired a kennel.
Its Not The Location....ITS THE PRODUCT!!!
"A frosted dog turd is not a wedding cake..."
You took it (the words not the....) out of my mouth.
"A frosted dog turd is not a wedding cake..."
You took it (the words not the....) out of my mouth.
I don't recall much of that in the previous thread. I do recall the previous thread being nothing more than thing like:
"M$ is sooo stupid. All they do is copy Apple"
"MICROSOFT IS DEAD."
"Lipstick on a Pig."
"Great, I can try Excel."
And so on.
And unfortunately, this thread is proving to be no different. I am not sure why these articles even get posted to the main page anymore. The comments are generally lame and predictable.
And what is even funnier is that, even I after I post this, there will be dozens of comments like the ones I just used as examples.
Something tells me if there are any vacant stores next door to Apple stores, Apple will buy them up quickly and extend the shop so it is larger, but MS stores are not going to really attract a huge crowd.
I mean they only make two bits hardware the 360 & the zune, so i'd like to see what computers they'll have in store. They'll probs have computers with like 8 & 10GB ram and tell people look how responsive the system is LOL. Then in the window displays the self running demos are bound to crash. When i went to London a few years ago, the Coca Cola sign in Picaddily circus crashed, showing the typical XP crash "don't send, "send" error report.
I mean they only make two bits hardware the 360 & the zune, so i'd like to see what computers they'll have in store. They'll probs have computers with like 8 & 10GB ram and tell people look how responsive the system is LOL. Then in the window displays the self running demos are bound to crash. When i went to London a few years ago, the Coca Cola sign in Picaddily circus crashed, showing the typical XP crash "don't send, "send" error report.
This is my issue with the new Microsoft stores as well. Apple tends to be located in more "premier" malls and their standalone stores also tend to be in prime locations.
How is Microsoft planning on making any money off of this venture if they intend to just "showcase" most of their products?? They'd have to sell a WHOLE lotta XBoxes and Zunes...
Let's say that Project Natal for the 360, Netflix 1080p, and a host of other cool products are released all at the same time which have the public rushing to try them out. A Microsoft store in major cities might give people a chance to go experience the products in person instead of going to Best Buy, Wal-mart, Target, or any of the other tens of thousands of retail locations selling Microsoft products.
The real question to ask is:
Does it matter?
The Apple store gives people a place to try out Macs that aren't sold at every retail location including Wal-mart. They also sell Mac software and accessories for Apple hardware. A good reason to have a store, but they could do the same thing with a small section in Best Buy. I'm sure Apple could easily have one or two dedicated Apple employees in Best Buy to sell their hardware.
What are we missing?
The Genius bar.
The Apple store isn't just a retail location. It is also a training, service, repair, and support location for Apple products.
Will Microsoft be doing training, service, repair, and support for Windows PCs sold by licensed OEMs in the Microsoft store? I highly doubt it.
I think it will be interesting to watch, but I have my doubts about the impact of the project. I consider Microsoft stores to be largely irrelevant since people have easy to Microsoft products via many different venues.
One comment of value! Thank you.
I'll just post the exact same thing I posted in the first thread:
Most people use Windows at work. They think MS means Office. They don't know you can do some pretty cool consumer things with Microsoft software. I personally prefer doing these types of things on a Mac, but there are a whole host of people who already own a xbox and a PC and have no idea they can work together to bring content from the PC to the TV.
These stores are going to be about education and customer retention. They are trying to break the mindset that Windows is for work and Apple is for home. And I think they may have a good shot at it.
They will have demo systems setup and workshops about how you can have a digital life with Windows as well.
And, as always, competition is good for us as consumers.
As for the location of the stores:
Microsoft is putting stores near Apple stores for the same exact reason Home Depot and Lowes put their stores near each other. Most people prefer either Home Depot or Lowes, but most people are not willing to drive any farther to get to their preference. Most people, even if they prefer Home Depot, will go to Lowes first if it is closer to their house. If they are effectively the same distance away, then this variable is eliminated, and then they can compete on price, customer service, etc.
This is why they are putting their stores near Apple stores.
i don't know why you're so surprised. this is a MAC forum. i doubt you'll find too many republicans posting on an islamic jihadist website either.
besides, the point of a forum is for people to voice their OPINIONS. if someone is of the opinion that MS is Dead, or Lipstick on a pig, they can do it. instead of b*tchin' and moanin' about it, why don't you try and come up with the greatest argument in that the world has ever seen to explain to us why MS is the holy child of innovation and originality.
maybe then we'll have to eat our words.
in the meantime, MS continues to demonstrate that they dont have an original bone in their body (big picture).
i'm guessing this is just going to be US based and it will fail if its just for show casing the products. i mean BestBuys and other electrical stores like PC World in the UK do it all already, so why do Microsoft really need to do it. They don't even know what to do anymore LOL
yes but does apple have a history of being completely original? dont get me wrong, i love my apple products, i have all 3 iphones, macbookwhite, imac, ipodtouch 1st G and a shuffle aswell as a powerbook g4 (finally gave up on me) but i just dont understand why the majority of people who owns an apple product bashes MS?, there just isnt any need for it! Any tom dick and harry who knows anything about gadgets and electronic stuff , will know that apple will more than likely always have a better quality(slightly overpriced) product over MS, BTW ok so they copy from others, but who hasnt copied from a competitor? APPLE ARE NO ANGELS
Good point about the service. I doubt they will be able to that as well. But I still think this is more about keeping customers.
Most likely, someone going into the Apple store to buy a computer is switching from a PC. They do not want this to happen. If they can show you that you can do many of the same things on a Windows PC that you can on a Mac, and if you have an xbox 360, you can use them together, perhaps they can keep you from buying a Mac and eventually get you to upgrade to Windows 7.
Threads like these are funny! It is like someone flicked a switch, pressed a button or pulled a lever A pure Pavlov reflex, works every time
MS has (fill in the blanks)...... And then it starts, like an avalanche. Great show!
A pure Pavlov reflex, works every time MS has (fill in the blanks)...... And then it starts, like an avalanche. Great show!
Apple needs to wipe the memories of former execs and project managers... or pay them ridiculous sums of money... to ****.
Exactly - the whole thing is a loss leader. How are they going to make money in this venture? They need to sell something. You can't just tell people, "look, this is cool" and then say "ok, now go to Best Buy to get it." Consumers aren't going to do that. Maybe sell some Zunes? ick.
Their "showcase" is going to turn into a place were tweens and teenagers are going to check email, facebook, and everything else.