Microsoft Signs Leases to Open Retail Stores in Arizona and California

[Arisian]

I have issues with my Macs and the Genius bar techs scratch their heads too.

The MS store is a total rip off, but who knows, they might just do a better job at it than Apple.

May even pay their employees a decent wage too.

On a serious note, I think you might be right.

It will be interesting because a lot of the windows/MS issues have been well documented and could require a pretty simple fix (I'll restrain from a "Just restart the computer!" joke here.)

Decent wages are NEVER a bad thing. I know plenty of people who have worked at Apple stores and most are pretty disgruntled. Let's home they do it right.

 

[rfrankl]

I think Steve Balmer just loves to lose more and more of the shareholders money. I can't see how this project even remotely works.

 

[satcomer]

And this is Microsoft's big problem, they are acting like an angsty teenager that cannot stand to think that they are not perfect at EVERYTHING. I was that kid once. I was a wanna-be at everything that someone else did that was cool. If someone succeeded at something and I didn't, I was angry and bitter -- overlooking the many other things that I could do that they couldn't. And sometimes my attitude was "if I can't have it, then you can't have it either". Regretfully there were a number of sabotaged relationships because I couldn't grasp that I needed to find my own thing, not try to be someone else.

This is evident in everything Microsoft has been doing. They have their core products -- Windows and Office -- but instead of focusing on steadily improving them, they insist on trying to be the best at everything else, too. Gaming platform? We'll build one too and KILL Sony! Internet browser? We'll build one too and KILL Netscape! Search engine? We'll build one too and KILL Google! Music player? We'll ...

Microsoft seems to want to have a finger in every pie out there. In quite a few places, they're doing very well. In others, they are floundering badly.

This is the truest post I have read in a long time.

 

[Arisian]

Second mover mentality

So now that I've gotten my snarky, sarcastic comments out of the way and have given this some thought. Here's how I see it.

Microsoft is, to one degree or another, copying Apples idea of a brick-and-mortar store front. So what's the shock value? What's the NEW exciting thing that is going to differintiate an Apple Store from a Microsoft Store?

Forget the Apple vs. Microsoft products for a second, lets look at these actions/stores as products offerings themselves (The Store is the tool/product/offering/etc). The Apple Store vs. The Microsoft Store. The MS store is late to the market and is pretty much, from what we can all tell, a very close replica of what the Apple Store looks like.

Now, correct me if Im wrong, but there are very few things/products that can enter the market late and offer the exact same things as the original and be successful at challenging the original product... in this case... The Apple Store(s).

That being said, I find it frustrating from a marketing POV for MS to copy Apple direction on this while throwing innovation out the Window. Why do a store because Apple did a store? Why not doing something NEW and EXCITING rather than copying someone. Why not try to come up with something BETTER than the store...

In this case, I'd feel the same way if Apple opened up stores AFTER Microsoft has stores. It's just not good business... I don't care who you are.

The second mover & Wait-and-See is what is digging Microsoft's grave.
I'd love to see some competition, but this is not generally it.

 

[satcomer]

floundering badly: MSNBC, MSN, ZUNE, SEARCH?

Doing very well: Window's, xbox 360, xbox live, office?

MSN=almost dead
XBox 360=Loss Leader. Why do you think Microsoft bought Bungie? This is wear they make their money on the 360.
XBox Live=Keep up with Sony.
Office: Stale growth from t all the free office software coming online. Business also not upgrading Office & Windows+PCs because of the economic downturn.

Plus with MS don't believe the press releases until you actually see the product. Even long term PC users will tell you this.

 

[Arisian]

MSN=almost dead
XBox 360=Loss Leader. Why do you think Microsoft bought Bungie? This is wear they make their money on the 360.
XBox Live=Keep up with Sony.
Office: Stale growth from t all the free office software coming online. Business also not upgrading Office & Windows+PCs because of the economic downturn.

Plus with MS don't believe the press releases until you actually see the product. Even long term PC users will tell you this.

completely agree about office. No one is upgrading and esp. not businesses.

 

[ironman159]

Windows never slowed down the production of any Apple products at the factory. Windows didn't slow down the engineering of the iPhone. Windows also didn't slow down the making of many, many Apple ad campaigns. Ironic to think that they used Windows in the creation of so many Apple products.

That would be a good display: that photo of Windows running in a Foxconn factory. M$ should purposefully exploit those situations and make fun of them. Even if iPhone worships gripe and claim they are copycats. When did we all become incessant, whiny, little playground brats?

That is just plain stupidity. Well, when an ad campaign reaches this levels (Foxcoon thingy), it gets pretty lame. Why do you say: Microsoft should make FUN of this? And what is Windows is in the Foxcoon factory helping? WHAT? I guaranteed that not much people find this types of campaigns valuable.

 

[Arisian]

That is just plain stupidity. Well, when an ad campaign reaches this levels (Foxcoon thingy), it gets pretty lame. Why do you say: Microsoft should make FUN of this? And what is Windows is in the Foxcoon factory helping? WHAT? I guaranteed that not much people find this types of campaigns valuable.

irony.

 

[ironman159]

irony.

I just got it. Well... opps.

 

[Arisian]

I just got it. Well... opps.

ha. I'm not sure you got it.

 

[Stella]

Yes, it is *exactly* the same.

Why...? Read on.


You said " TO NOT CONFUSE CUSTOMERS AND MAKE THE EXPERIENCE "SEAMLESS".

Well, this is exactly what Apple state - "no competing apps - since these will confuse the users".

Additionally, "Seamless" - is another reason for the integration of AppStore and iPhone.

So, there we have it... the reasons you give to complain about microsoft are the exact same reason's ( amongst others ) for why Apple limit iPhone applications to the AppStore.. You can simply replace the word "hardware" for "iPhone App" and you have the description of the AppStore.

*Exactly* the same thing.

So, if your going to apply this to microsoft ( or any other company ) then apply this also to Apple.

( Oh: And its not a few apps, its a whole slew of rules regarding what can and cannot go in to the Appstore -and causes a whole load of confusion for developers - since Apple are not consistent ).

I am referring to the selection of hardware. Microsoft rips on Apple for having few computer choices. And yet now they will limit the options showcased in their own stores because their "choices" and lack of making their own hardware and software together ends up in a mess and confusion for their customers. In doing this they are inherently confirming that lol. That has nothing to do with Apple denying some Apps in the App Store.


Haha. Well I am reading a series of articles about the history of the computer industry and the more I learn about Microsoft and their business ethics and practices the more furious I get. I know Apple is not perfect, but I respect their model and approach and products.

Check them out, there are tons:

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Q4.06/2E6D9BB2-FE1B-4556-8389-67BD581FBCCC.html

I am well aware of microsoft's past business practices... and you see the behaviour of Apple today - Apple, given the full opportunity would easily match microsoft in this respect.

 

[twoodcc]

directly copying apple, again! how can they get away with this?

 

[Boneoh]

They MAY have a chance of succeeding if they partner up with HP and Dell to resell in the stores. HP and Dell kick in with a cut of the sales revenue money to help cover the rent and wages. Also cooperate on the repair/replace side of things. That might work. I certainly don't expect HP and Dell to open stores on their own in my neighborhood. At least MS is giving it a shot.

I am neither an Apple nor MS fanboy. That being said, I was not optimistic for any success on this. But since we don't have a real clue about their business plan behind this, we'll just have to wait and see. If I were a MS shareholder, I would be bummed...

 

[Arisian]

directly copying apple, again! how can they get away with this?

because its a STORE. WalMart, K-Mart, Target... all the same thing for hte most part.

You can't have a monopolize brick-and-mortar store fronts.

 

[Arisian]

... If I were a MS shareholder, I would be bummed...

LOL

 

[rjohnstone]

directly copying apple, again! how can they get away with this?

I must have forgot that Apple invented the concept of a brick and mortar store to sell ones products.
Apple copied the concept/idea from Gateway.
They just happened to have better success at it.

And why does anyone care anyway?
Afraid it might actually turn out to be a good idea for Microsoft to go this route?

 

[MacFly123]

Yes, it is *exactly* the same.

Why...? Read on.


You said " TO NOT CONFUSE CUSTOMERS AND MAKE THE EXPERIENCE "SEAMLESS".

Well, this is exactly what Apple state - "no competing apps - since these will confuse the users".

Additionally, "Seamless" - is another reason for the integration of AppStore and iPhone.

So, there we have it... the reasons you give to complain about microsoft are the exact same reason's ( amongst others ) for why Apple limit iPhone applications to the AppStore.. You can simply replace the word "hardware" for "iPhone App" and you have the description of the AppStore.

*Exactly* the same thing.

So, if your going to apply this to microsoft ( or any other company ) then apply this also to Apple.

( Oh: And its not a few apps, its a whole slew of rules regarding what can and cannot go in to the Appstore -and causes a whole load of confusion for developers - since Apple are not consistent ).





I am well aware of microsoft's past business practices... and you see the behaviour of Apple today - Apple, given the full opportunity would easily match microsoft in this respect.

Agree to disagree!

 

[misssamsays]

Stay on the West Coast, away from me

 

[JAT]

SonyStyle runs in a way that makes it feel like it is an arrogant BestBuy without little to no interaction with sales people. It is like a Sony gallery, where Apple is all about engaging you with their sales staff. Just look at the number of people working in an Apple Store vs. other electronics stores. M$ is just choosing the better business model to remake their image. It has nothing to do with worry, and everything to do with investors.

But Sony and Apple actually have things in boxes, that you can pick up off a shelf, walk over to a counter and purchase. M$ sells plenty of units, sure. But it is bundled in other people's boxes, barely anybody wants to walk into a store to get the latest Office.

I see this as a money loser, but the marketing aspect might make up for it, if somebody is creative with their management reports. Maybe that's what you mean when mentioning investors.

 

[iMaggot]

Wait.... they are going to call the Genius bar the "Answer Bar" ?.............LMAO!!!!!!!!! LOL

 

[rjohnstone]

But Sony and Apple actually have things in boxes, that you can pick up off a shelf, walk over to a counter and purchase. M$ sells plenty of units, sure. But it is bundled in other people's boxes, barely anybody wants to walk into a store to get the latest Office.

I see this as a money loser, but the marketing aspect might make up for it, if somebody is creative with their management reports. Maybe that's what you mean when mentioning investors.

Microsoft actually makes other products besides Windows and Office.

I see the store as a great way to try out all their current and new software offerings and get real answers from what I hope will be qualified staff. Let's not forget they have Microsoft branded hardware as well.

I can see an entire section dedicated to the XBox and all the add-ons and games. A demo area perhaps.

A lot of things come to mind as to how this can be successful for them.
It's all going to boil down to execution.

 

[JAT]

Second: The fanboyism is delicious. Most of the people commenting about Windows 7 make me think they didn't play with it for more than five minutes. There are more changes than a speed boost FYI. A quick example: You can unmount USB flash drives with two clicks from the system toolbar instead of the 4-5 that it used to be in Vista.

Was this supposed to be a positive, pro-Windows comment? Cause....it's really kinda sad. I mean, I've never used 7, barely even seen Vista. So I'm not sure if you are just personally incapable of unmounting drives or Windows is taking a dive. (XP only needs one click) But that's just.....sad.

The fanboy comment is incredibly ironic, I gotta say.

 

[JAT]

I can see an entire section dedicated to the XBox and all the add-ons and games. A demo area perhaps.

Yeah, maybe it'll just turn into an arcade. All consoles are pretty much loss leaders for the software and can use all the help they can get.

You're not expecting massive keyboard sales, right?

 

[thulsmans]

The thing that bothers me with this is the fact that microsoft isn't really helping the better of society (not saying that it is) trying to play catsup with apple. We already have an apple computer we don't need another, or an impostor masquerading as one

 

[rjohnstone]

The thing that bothers me with this is the fact that microsoft isn't really helping the better of society (not saying that it is) trying to play catsup with apple.

Are you serious? Do you think Apple gives a F$%! about bettering society?

Profits my friend... it's all about profits.
I guarantee that Steve Jobs doesn't start off a product development session with "How can we help the world today?".
I suspect it's more along the lines of "What is going to make us and our shareholders a ton of cash today?".

We already have an apple computer we don't need another, or an impostor masquerading as one

Wow... I never knew there was a finish line in business.