Microsoft debuts Microsoft Store in apparent attempt to sell stuff

Hard to believe that a company the size and stature of Microsoft hasn't had an online store to call its home -- not even a quirky collection of "Bill Gates is my homeboy" CafePress t-shirts and mousepads. The newly launched Microsoft Store solves that, however, with its many store-like properties. Therein you can find all sorts of Microsoft products, like software, peripherals, games and professionally-printed "Bill Gates is my homeboy" t-shirts.* What's particularly notable is that Microsoft is jumping into electronic software distribution here, meaning in addition to traditional physical purchases you can buy a bit of software and download it right there on the spot. Downloaded software can be re-downloaded for as long as Microsoft provides mainstream support -- about 5 years in most cases. We'd prefer forever and always, but we suppose that will have to do. The store is live now, and we'd suggest you head on over before we make some drastically ill-advised enterprise software impulse buys.

*This isn't true.

[Via ZDnet]

[Cybergypsy @ Nov 14th 2008 9:08AM]

Like that mouse!

[Bjsfreaked @ Nov 14th 2008 9:10AM]

looks like something from star trek

[M$FT @ Nov 14th 2008 10:04AM]

What a SAD move to go after Apple. Micro$oft really sucks.....

[majortom1981 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:07AM]

m$ft how is it sad. Id rather buy microsoft hardware from Microsoft themselves then someplace like bestbuy.

[NHAnimator @ Nov 14th 2008 1:10PM]

LOOKS nice. But also LOOKS uncomfortable as hell.

[Tubes @ Nov 14th 2008 6:06PM]

I'm using the Microsoft Arc Mouse right now. I purchased it to replace my Mighty Mouse, which kept crapping out. I don't think I've ever been happier with a mouse! (Of course, I'm no Mouse-Enthusiast. There are such things, right?) Plus the fact that I can fold it up and take it with me is pretty cool.

[SewerShark @ Nov 14th 2008 3:00PM]

It's sad because its from Microsoft's. If it was Apple's, he would probabily be screaming for joy, hanging on Steve Jobs nutsack.

[LC @ Nov 14th 2008 4:01PM]

"looks like something from star trek"

Yes, but you have to talk into it and say "Aye. Hello computer."

[Quikboy @ Nov 14th 2008 10:33PM]

Microsoft HAS had an online store. Windows Marketplace allowed you install Windows Vista and Office 2007 downloads, ever since Vista's launch.

http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/

Microsoft has had an even rudimentary store on the Microsoft.com site, though it's freaking hard to locate and varies depending on the product. I guess Paul doesn't shop for Microsoft products often...

[Bjsfreaked @ Nov 14th 2008 9:11AM]

"BILL GATES MY HOMEBOY"
wonder if an apple employee would wear this for fun at work?

[Josh @ Nov 14th 2008 9:14AM]

I'll do it, just get me the T-shirt.

[Kuroshi @ Nov 14th 2008 10:01AM]

I don't see why not. He owns part of the company.

[Mobius_1 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:04AM]

Someone buy it for Steve Jobs!

[John P @ Nov 14th 2008 9:11AM]

I like the layout, they did a nice job. And it isnt all that surprising that Microsoft didn't have a store, alot of places still prefer you go to the middleman (the store) to make purchases, especially since they can then ship in bulk instead of in single-servings. Sometimes you dont want to have every industry under your company's belt. But way to go Microsoft. Also, downloading software is nice, and sure, more than 5 years would be great, but its unlikely most people will even use one version of software for greater than five years (unless its Windows XP)

[konshuss @ Nov 14th 2008 9:30AM]

pleasantly surprised to see a huge Gears of War 2 banner on the main page when I was expecting a stock photo of a nerd with his arms crossed standing next to MS Office.

[JerkfacedFed @ Nov 14th 2008 9:49AM]

Yea, its actually a real nice site. Now they need to release with a sweet Live payment method to compete with PayPal and Google to organize online accounts and receipts and allow money transfers from one live account to another, even if it has to be through Microsoft points.

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:18AM]

I still use my copy of Office 2000 when Open Office has a problem opening some files. (rarely) It still works perfectly fine even though it's over 5 years old.

It's sad that you accept the upgrade treadmill when it's really not needed.

[mikeg @ Nov 14th 2008 11:43AM]

you do realize they arent forcing you to stop using or installing the product after they stop mainstream support for it don't you?

it's not like they come to your home and take away the disc you burned and make you delete all copies of it....



nice attempt at trolling, but it failed.

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 14th 2008 7:06PM]

"Downloaded software can be re-downloaded for as long as Microsoft provides mainstream support -- about 5 years in most cases."

So what happens after 5 years when you need to download it again?

Will you be able to burn these applications to disk (legally) so you CAN keep it and re-install it when you rebuild your PC in 5 years?

[jorvay @ Nov 14th 2008 9:12AM]

Assuming they allow backing up of downloaded software to make sure you've got a licensed copy after the 5-year support period, then kudos to MS. Years of Linux use has made the whole notion of having to go to a store (or even get up from my desk) to get new software seem preposterous.

[mikeg @ Nov 14th 2008 11:46AM]

yes they do allow it.
It's pretty logical to figure out if you can buy an OS there, it has to be some sort of image you can burn to CD/DVD to allow you to do a complete install.

in fact all this really is, is a port for joe public of the download portion of MSDN or Technet which has been in place for quite a while.

[TOny @ Nov 14th 2008 9:13AM]

Wonder if there will be an Engadget post when its closed for maintenance? :) or will Microsoft be able to pull of something Apple has never been able to do and update there web pages to add product without shutting it down :)

[Kris @ Nov 14th 2008 2:19PM]

Actually, Apple has the ability to add products dynamically without shutting their store down. They only shut down their store when they have something upcoming so they can:
1. Test internally to make sure it looks good.
2. Generate hype

They add and remove third party products all the time.

[From My Cube @ Nov 14th 2008 9:14AM]

I hope when they update the store they put a cute little post it note on the main page

[Boarderwoot @ Nov 14th 2008 9:18AM]

I haven't had my coffee yet and totally glazed over the asterix at first and thought, wow, Mr. Miller has waaayy too much time on his hands.

[Alex Padilla @ Nov 14th 2008 9:20AM]

I love the disclaimer, Paul. By the way, did you catch last night's amazing 30 Rock?

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 14th 2008 12:15PM]

Keep your gay love for Paul in the closet and e-mail him directly. No need for PDA here.

[Alex Padilla @ Nov 14th 2008 12:45PM]

I'm not gay, but what if I was? What makes my comment gay? Is there a problem with being gay?

I suggest you take your ignorance elsewhere. Your irrational homophobia is unwelcome.

[John @ Nov 14th 2008 1:59PM]

dude, chill out. it's not like he said "Keep your gay love (which is wrong and should be abolished) for Paul in the closet and e-mail him directly. No need for PDA here." i don't think he was attacking homosexuality in general, just your gayness for paul.

[icepop4who @ Nov 14th 2008 9:21AM]

Stores from the actual manufacturers usually sell at MSRP, and thus higher than a third party retailer. (less discounts, sales, etc.)

[kal326 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:53AM]

Indeed, like you should never buy a graphics card from a manufacturers store unless its right at launch and they are the ONLY place selling them for MSRP and have them in-stock.

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 14th 2008 11:16AM]

This is pretty commonplace, like how you should never buy a cellphone from your providers brick-and-mortar location. 3rd party retailers will usually always have better prices.

[insky @ Nov 14th 2008 1:17PM]

Who's Mrs. P?

[HYPERPCS.COM @ Nov 14th 2008 9:35PM]

yours has to be one of the very few posts I read that actually had a meaning. You are correct MSRP is definitely what they expect the market to pay and we are the alternative. A more intersting question that comes to mind is what about the hundreds of thousands of retail stores and Microsoft partners like Hyperpcs.com who sell Microsoft and advertise on MsnLive shopping and googlebase at wholesale prices for products they now sell themselves for more money? Hows that gonna work"? And support whats that? Canned responses till you scream and give up and ask someone else or figure it out yourself? oh that support my bad.

[nick @ Nov 14th 2008 9:25AM]

just need to head on over and add a few surface tables to my cart and call it a weekend..... YOU LISTENING MS YOU BASTARDS!

[chrisp @ Nov 14th 2008 9:25AM]

Mice are way too inorganic these days if you ask me. I would like a wooden mouse, or maybe even one with fur and a layer of silicon. and heat pads under the silicon to warm it up and give it a "living" feeling. and if you stroke it it must purr...yea that would be cool. not this futuristic nonsence.

then again maybe i just have issues......

[Sentax @ Nov 14th 2008 10:22AM]

How realistic do you want it? Do you want it to bite you from pressing down on it's ears.. A.k.a the left/right buttons? That would be funny to watch you do that. Hehe.

[d?niel @ Nov 14th 2008 2:45PM]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mouse-Mouse!/

just needs the hand-warming and purring features....

wait WTF, why would you have a purring MOUSE? lol

[Phil Perman @ Nov 14th 2008 9:26AM]

Very cut down selection on the UK store sadly. Only software it seems, no hardware or whatever us underneath that Entertainment tab shown in the screenshot

[Chris @ Nov 14th 2008 2:07PM]

The UK site will soon be sporting a greatly increased product catalougue and will rapidily catchup with the US site. However, the UK was live 5 months ahead of the US.

[Wolfticket @ Nov 14th 2008 9:31AM]

Microsoft actually make some nice hardware.
It's just a same about the software.
Zing!

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:21AM]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Logitech makes MS hardware.

[inno8sky @ Nov 14th 2008 11:17AM]

No, Microsoft do not use Logitech as a manufacturer. They use other manufacturers, like apple and many other companies to build their products. MS have always had a store, sure it wasn't as cohesive (selling everything from hardware to enterprise software) as this one does, but they've always sold software product online and have always had direct links to multiple online stores that resell their products.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/Productlist.aspx?type=LifeCam

[Electromodo @ Nov 14th 2008 9:33AM]

Why didn't you mention, Engadget, that Gears of War II is all over the front page of Microsoft store! And where did you get that white color? The store theme is actually black!

[Gaucho @ Nov 14th 2008 9:40AM]

not the hardware page.

[Electromodo @ Nov 14th 2008 9:34AM]

http://store.microsoft.com/home.aspx?WT.mc_id=pointitsem_microsoft_store

[Down @ Nov 14th 2008 9:37AM]

That mouse seems really uncomfortable. Definitely not something to buy online without trying it out first.

[Gaucho @ Nov 14th 2008 9:38AM]

... looks as fun as it sounds. i like the wide color palette they used for the site: white to gray with an iota of very light blue. There is one renegade green though so... i guess that's extremely awesome. looking at this site is like taking Ritalin, its the Phil Collins of corporate online stores.

[7on @ Nov 14th 2008 9:43AM]

sounds like an onion article headline.

[Adam @ Nov 14th 2008 9:44AM]

Wow, it looks very good, its about time Microsoft start taking care of their website looks. I always hated the old dated look (before MS start becoming all Apple-ish :: hint: start caring about looks), and it loads fast too, love the theme color (blue-white, black-gray-light blue, ;)