http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/ Engadget Comments for Microsoft confirms retail stores coming this fall http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Also, what's with the creeper wearing an "I'M A PC" shirt?]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
apple stores look lifeless and cold with dumb little kids in gay colored t-shirts "working" there.]]>Jul 15th 2009 7:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/]]>Jul 15th 2009 7:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 8:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
5 shades of '82 BEIGE" is considered "warm and inviting"? LOMAO! Thank you for so clearly demonstrating that there is really no bottom to the depth of lack of taste and sense of design of Microsoft and all its fanbois (who seem to be living on this blog, for lack of a life worth living, no doubt).

But still, this is great news! The extreme contrast provided by the close proximity of MS brothels (where apparently you will not be able to buy anything, or very little - obviously a MS retail concept by the sheer idiocy of it all) to the Apple stores will make it even more clearly evident what a drab and depressingly boring life a PC centered life can be... Can't wait to watch MS embarrassed themselves again, "Zune style", while attempting to, yet again, copy Apple's every's moves...

As I keep saying, the future will show that leaving Steve Ballmer in charge was the best thing that ever happened to AAPL. Thank you Steve indeed.
]]>Jul 16th 2009 10:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Seriously. I was about to say I'm sure there are some Wal-Marts pretty close to some Bergdorf Goodmans too, but I really doubt they're eating into too much of their business.
]]>Jul 15th 2009 10:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 16th 2009 6:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
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I think this is a really, really, really, really, really, really, really important and good idea by Microsoft.

Apple stores offer a very cohesive and comprehensive experience. They are completley self-contained, and from what I can tell, have well-trained and knowledgeable staff that can completley relate guests to their products.

PC resellers, on the other hand, have Best Buy, and other computer retailers. Most of these employees know just enough to be able to point someone toward a PC, but rarely have I come across a salesman who understands WINDOWS and is capable (or even interested) in showing me the features of the windows environment.

The layperson doesn't necessarily know all of the cool or useful things that you can do with Vista or other Microsoft OSes, even if they are simple in nature. I think Microsoft would benefit overall, in the long term, by communicating to consumers what they can do with their products.

Not even just Windows, but the whole host of MS products that can interact. ]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
The Microsoft stores will fail in the same way that the Gateway stores failed. I'm not trying to be overly critical of Microsoft, but why exactly would I go to a Microsoft store? I can pick up Windows and MS Office at a number of locations... along with their other software offerings.

I go to the Apple Store because:
- They can service the OS and hardware (and much of the software), all under one roof.
- Most other stores don't carry Mac hardware/software.
- There are few Mac experts (Genius)
- To check out the cool Mac hardware/software

Having an Apple Store was the only solution for Apple as nobody was stalking Mac software/hardware at the time. It was very difficult to have your hardware serviced and people wanted to "try before they buy."

I don't see the same issues with Microsoft.]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Microsoft doesn't need to satisfy those areas to be successful with "stores."

I have a feeling that some of the logic behind this plan comes from the Mojave experiments. If they could only get people in front of the actual technology, they can show off some pretty cool stuff.

Even if the stores ONLY do the service of improving or changing the public perception of MS products, that's enough -- it can be chalked up to marketing.

And I do think that people will visit stores, especially if they look as nice as the demo pictures. People will go because consumers like to shop and they will be curious. ]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Yes, most of Microsoft's really, really, really, really, really, really, really important and good ideas have come from Apple.]]>Jul 15th 2009 6:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
That's not to say it's a bad idea. The kids slurp up the Apple store experience like crack candyfloss, so MS will probably do well out of the venture.]]>Jul 15th 2009 6:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Zune HD: unreleased
Windows 7: unreleased
Xbox 360: RROD
Surface: who is buying these???
Project Natal: unreleased

I think your praise may be a bit...premature.]]>Jul 15th 2009 6:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 6:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/The first Apple Store opened May 2001.
Who copied who again?

But I guess, Zak, you are correct. Microsoft is copying Apple once again. I mean, who would ever think of creating a building where companies could sell products and people could purchase those products? People could have been doing this for 1000s of years, but it was not until Apple used all their creativity to change buisness forever by creating these "stores." Here is another idea, and I give Apple full exclusive rights to use this idea - they should send pieces of paper bound together through the US postal mail to people's homes, listing the items they sell and the price. People can then send money to Apple and then Apple can send the product back to them. I think it should be called a "catalog." It will change business forever!]]>Jul 15th 2009 7:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Quix:

Zune HD: unreleased (Releasing this fall - CNet: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10249364-56.html)
Windows 7: unreleased (Releasing this fall - Computer Weekly: http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/06/03/236271/windows-7-coming-out-on-22-october.htm)

"Microsoft confirms retail stores coming this fall" I would consider that timely, not premature.

Xbox 360: RROD (OK Troll. Everyone is aware of this but its still 2nd only to the Wii fluke. If Microsoft decides to sell games here too they could stand to make a lot of money. Apple stores aren't known for their game sales.)
Surface: who is buying these??? (Interesting product which I think will "eventually" make it to the average consumer in a different form. Why penalize them for taking strides? Granted, it shouldn't be sold in the Microsoft store but perhaps demoed to corporate execs?)
Project Natal: unreleased (Estimates are sometime in 2010.)

I think it is highly likely that these stores will fail as retailers but succeed as marketing schemes. They will get the word out. "PC's too can be pretty, flashy and eliteist. So come on by spoiled private school brats and get your pretty pretty status symbol hardware just like at the Apple store."

I for one am glad that I will be able to go into a store without being bombarded with low shoddy low budget Rocketfish type generic products like they have at Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy.

Now lets hope they price competitively. If we can get it for less than half on Amazon....what's the point?

Oh and for those claiming Microsoft is copying Apple again. Read a book. Just because you don't know about history doesn't mean it never happened.]]>Jul 16th 2009 4:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
pwnt]]>Jul 15th 2009 6:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/]]>Jul 16th 2009 1:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 6:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 16th 2009 9:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 16th 2009 9:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Care to explain why?]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Hopefully they open one in Philadelphia. ]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Jul 15th 2009 5:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Don't think MSFT lends itself to brick and mortar as well as Apple, they are a software company mostly, and software boxes don't have that ooooh shiny!!!! gadget effect.]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/Software like Ofice
Win Mobile Devices
UMPCs
Netbooks
Tablets
Demos of MS products from MS labs.
Surface kiosks.



Steve Balmer action figures?]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
steve already has so many ridiculous looking pictures that bobble head steve balmers may just work out... lol]]>Feb 13th 2011 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
so... microsoft is going to open a retail store, to sell other companies products? they have very few items that would work in a retail environment like this... the xbox (and its accessories)... windows (which is already sold everywhere)... office (again, already sold everywhere)... and the zune. so... are they planning on selling dell/hp/etc? if so... dont these companies already have their own channels... and wouldnt it be a huge conflict of interest?

thats going to be one hell of an empty store... and/or one hell of a waste of cash. ]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
Is there a pre-order for Ballmer action figures? I wanna be on that list!]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/microsoft-confirms-retail-stores-coming-this-fall/
They could sell all WinMo based devices (especially non-exclusive ones that are unlocked!).

They could provide some tech support too.

There are lots of possibilities.

]]>Jul 15th 2009 5:37PM