Microsoft's
very real brick-and-mortar stores are not too far off now, and it looks like
Gizmodo got its hands on a Powerpoint presentation purportedly from "design and brand strategy" consultant firm Lippicott for how these retail outlets might turn out. The presentation overall is reminiscent of Apple's stores, complete with its own "Answer Bar" for troubleshooting. Other highlights include lots of Surface demos scattered about the interior, a massive "digital media wall" screen that wraps around the store, and stage areas for Windows 7, Media Center, WinMo, and netbooks. Additionally, the slides discuss in-store events centered around
Project Natal, the ever-secret project codenamed
Pink, and most importantly... the option to throw your birthday party on location. While it's not 100 percent clear what the purpose of some of these slides might be -- or if this is even the firm the big M has gone with -- there is a lot here that's piqued our curiosity. Whether or not this ends up being indicative of the final product, something tells us that last bit about the birthday parties is gonna be key to its success -- get on it,
Steve.
posted Jul 24th 2009 6:57PM
Microsoft store vs. Apple Store. FIGHT!!!
I've always wondered who would win. Apple fanboys or MS Fanboys?
Mall police.
@LAY
Nah... Mall police be doomed
LOL!!! Answer Bar? Theater? WHERE DID THEY GET THESE IDEAS???
And in-store birthday parties???
LOL!!!!!!!
I hope one of the Microsoft lovers here will invite me to their
birthday party at the Microsoft Store. Please?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!
@Quix
LOL!
LOL! OMG LOL!!!!!
LOLOOLOLOLOLOOLOOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLLOLOL!!!! !!!!!!11111!!!!!!!!!111111!!!!!
OMG Wooooooooo!!!!!!!
Grow up.
@Look_Around_You
LOL!!
You can't take any MS criticism can you?
LOL OMG!!
Grow up, its the internet.
I don't care if you criticize MS.
But this nonsense from Quix is just sophomoric trolling. Ironic because he is always going off about "Apple haters".
Anonymous or not, have some self-respect.
"I don't care if you criticize MS." - Look_Around_You
BS.
PS: LOL!
Yeah, Quix, I dont care.
Now you on the other hand. Let some one be critical of Apple....
"APPLE HATER!!!!!!!!"
Quix-
For one, you should probably re-read the article. Where did you see theater? And besides, the last apple store I went to had a 'theater' where they displayed videos advertising Apple, complete with comfy chairs. Second, they took the 'answer bar' idea FROM Apple, (at least according to the article), so if you're going to laugh at something, laugh at Apple stores.
Lastly, I'm pretty sure Engadget was kidding about the birthday parties. If it's actually true, well, yeah it is a stupid idea.
@ Leo Z
Was that really a rebuttal? Sounds like you are agreeing with Quix in saying this was inspired by the Apple Stores (to put it nicely).
* They will have birthday party events for consumers (wow)
* They will have their own 'fancy shopping bag', just like Apple.
You were correct about the fight!!! You cutie you
@ Leo Z.
I think you should re-read my comment. Just as Dave95 said, I was clearly mocking Microsoft's carbon copy of the Apple stores with their Answer Bar and theater. Microsoft is so derivative, it would be funny if it weren't so sad. Personally I'd be embarrassed to always be following someone else's lead so blatantly, but hey, that's just me. Apparently MS has no shame.
As for the birthday party thing, that part just defies description. I wonder if the napkins will have little spreadsheets on them? Hope so!
Yeah, it's a bit like an Apple store.
Who cares?
Wow. So someone copied something in the tech world. I guess we should all be up in arms because Walmart has an electronics section, JUST LIKE TARGET!!! WALMART COPIED THAT FROM TARGET OMG.
And what about a grocery section? OMG WALMART COPIED THAT FROM TARGET TOO!!!!!
Everyone copies from everyone, Apple not exempt. So shut up Quix
Looks cheap. Just the right atmosphere for Windows PC users to feel at home in.
Sir, I need some help picking out the right version of Windows 7 for my PC.... Lady, just go over to that big pyramid of Windows 7 boxes in the middle of the floor and take your pick. They're basically all the same. Low in functionality and high in cost.
wow iphonerulez your genius abounds.
love the use of the 'z' instead of an 's' - so cool.
I think MS really doesn't need to make a store and if they did they should focus more on Winmo 7, Zune HD and Xbox not windows.
in for one birthday party
Nah.
Have your party and Chuck E. Cheese.
and = at
If "and" = "at":
"life"="fail"
Example:
"I was walking down the street at looked and a signpost. After this, my son played and the park at laughed and your face."
@D.C. Meese
Syntax Error: Expected 'then' saw ':'
syntax error, unexpected '=', expecting kTHEN or ':' or '\n' or ';'
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will it be ready by next friday maybe?
Ah, finally a computer store for people who actually do work to go.
blogging in your underwear is not work.
Not according to his taxes. Don't hate, don't hate. ;D
Spending all your at Starbucks, working on your "novel" is a valid lifestyle choice.
How dare you suggest otherwise.
is this english?
do work to go?
Playing world of warcraft while doing admin on an UrbanTerror server isn't work.
@ Mike
Actually, the grammar is okay. Change "people who actually do work" to "people" and it's fine. It sounds awkward because of the noun's modifiers ("who actually do the work"), but they don't change the grammar of the noun itself ("people").
But this isn't the place to debate grammar, so I'm probably just wasting my time and yours.
Design? I thought MS operates their copy machine very effectively! No?
Yeah, just looks like an Apple Store, that looks like a GAP Store.
Shut it.
i was actually also about to say the same thing. long slender banner in the back of the store + wooden floors kinda tipped the idea.
Take your crummy keyboard accent and go back to Apple
A big room lined with wooden tables and some wooden table showcasing Surface and other goodies in the middle. Sounds a lot like another store I walked into... it showcased technology with beautiful simplicity and elegance. I can't remember the name of the store, but I am willing to bet that Microsoft has stolen from that company before...it seems they are getting good at it!
Read about store design, and figure out that the design didnt originate with Apple.
I'm sure that's what your were getting at?
No im pretty sure apple invented wooden floors and tables.
And stores, don't forget Apple invented them too.
not to mention all technology ever, or the idea of selling said technology.
@ Look_Around_You
You must be the one of the biggest MS fanboys around here and most ignorant too.
Clearly you never read the story of the Apple stores. Let CNN educate you:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/03/19/8402321/index.htm
I don't know how much shopping I'd do there, but I'd love to get my hands on one of the Surface displays.
It looks like a CES booth gone wrong.. If I know Microsoft, I'm sure that they "borrowed" the best features from other stores (hint, hint).
"In a bold response to Microsoft's stores throwing on the spot birthday parties, Apple Inc has bought Chuck E Cheese, changing the name to iCheese."
Nice.
"in further news, the price of pizza and teddy bears has nearly tripled within the last 18 hours"
@dave
LMFAO
nice1