Microsoft confirms leaked retail store plans are legit
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 28th 2009 1:41PM
posted July 28th 2009 1:41PM
Those leaked Microsoft retail store plans certainly seemed like the real deal when Gizmodo got a hold of them last week, and Microsoft itself has now finally come out and confirmed that they are indeed legit. It's also quick to point out, however, that they're still far from finalized, noting that, "as a part of our process in briefing creative agencies, we shared some early prototypes and concepts of our retail store plans." Otherwise, company spokesman Frank Shaw would only go so far as to reiterate that "no final decisions have been made," and that Microsoft is still on track to open its first retail stores sometime this Fall.
Update: Looks like the folks at Redmond have picked the first two retail locations for its stores, and according to CNET, those lucky locales are Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California -- yeah, not exactly the most exciting picks, but perhaps the local authorities were quicker to sign the leases. Unsurprisingly, the California store is in a mall where an Apple store also resides -- let's hope the two stores find themselves within earshot of one another.
Update: Looks like the folks at Redmond have picked the first two retail locations for its stores, and according to CNET, those lucky locales are Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California -- yeah, not exactly the most exciting picks, but perhaps the local authorities were quicker to sign the leases. Unsurprisingly, the California store is in a mall where an Apple store also resides -- let's hope the two stores find themselves within earshot of one another.
So you've been to their store, Zak? You've tried to buy stuff, and they said no?
Really? Which one did you go to, Zak, in order to do the usual Apple fan pre-judge of some product or service that competes with an Apple one?
Oh, that's right, you've have gone to a store that doest exist yet, so it would be beyond absurd for you to say it will be a failure based on no actual first-hand knowledge.
Why am I not shocked?
Look_Around_You: Not surprisingly, your failure to read what I wrote is the problem here. In my first post, I was quoting somebody else. Hence the quote marks. In my second post, I specifically said "IF" Microsoft doesn't allow you to take hardware home with you.
"IF".
I know it's a small word and easy to miss, but you might want to try reading a little harder so you can avoid these awkward fuckups on your part.
zak is right actually. if they don't sell any hardware, it'll be quite worthless. Fortunately, a quick look at the slides indicates that you'll be able to customize and build your own computer. So they will sell hardware, unless of course their own slides are wrong.
Oh, silly Microsoft, you're so bad at business you've got a monopoly!
When is Engadget and Gizmodo going to merge? They copy off Engadget all the time or is it the other way around.
You go to Walmart to buy your PCs? daaaaaang.
If this is as good as Microsoft products, you might need to pull a special insurance policy to step into the store. Microsoft has develop such a taint I'd be embarrassed to be seen in one of these.
In all fairness a point that hasn't been brought up is this...
How much did MS blow on those shitty Seinfeld commercials? Did any of those commercials do anything to truly change the way that people think about Windows? So millions upon millions pissed against the wall (I'm sure some of those commercials never even aired they were pulled so quickly). Whether you like MS/Windows or not, it's hard to argue against these stores being a cost effective way (think millions wasted on Seinfeld) to put a user back in front of the product, show them some of the features, and hopefully gain back some respect. It's also a good opportunity to show people that MS is trying hard to create the ecosystem between PCs, phones, xbox, and WHS. Trying to show people how you can access Live Mesh from your phone, run Netflix from your Xbox, backup all your pc's to your WHS, and stream music from your home machine while away using Win7 is just too much to bit off in a 30 second ad. This makes sense from every direction - not saying it will be successful, but it makes sense.
i was an apple user for 15 years, the commercial made me switch
true story
@ Me:
Yeah, I'm sure if people only *knew* about Surface, there would be one in every kitchen, family room and den in America.
Good grief.
"i was an apple user for 15 years, the commercial made me switch"
LOL!
P.S. I call BS...
@ crawdad - lol I had to squint but I saw the "GURU Bar"...I died laughing.
Microsoft is like the kid in elementary school who tried to be cool by buying into the latest fad but was always a few months too late. (i.e. Zune)
@ atomicmatt - I definitely see war potential. Apple fans in the MS Store installing iTunes and Safari and MS fans sneaking into the Apple store with burned XP discs and installing them on the 24" iMacs for everyone to see.
On a serious note, I don't think the MS stores will do well.
I'll take major heat for this, but: Unless you're buying a top-of-the-line PC, Apple computers and products are generally higher-end and more expensive. When you're buying $599 worth of plastic HP crap, you might as well just buy it at the closest/cheapest location.
Unless you're buying a top-of-the-line PC, Apple computers and products are generally higher-end and more expensive.
so when your buying a expensive Higher-end PC apple products are lower-end? thats what i took from this statement.
innovation |ˌinəˈvā sh ən|
noun
the action or process of innovating.
• a new method, idea, product, etc. : technological innovations designed to save energy.
I have been trying to find an example of innovation from Microsoft. To say the least, my search has turned up very little. This is an extreme example of how Microsoft's development process works, find something that works and steal it. I like Apple for their ideas and products and I try to keep my mind open about Microsoft. It's moves like this that make me want to thumb my nose at them.
Sean, there are *plenty* of examples of Microsoft blazing innovative new trails with groundbreaking new products. For example:
DOS (acquired)
Windows (Mac knockoff)
Word (WordPerfect knockoff)
Excel (Lotus123 knockoff)
PowerPoint (acquired)
Xbox (PlayStation knockoff)
Xbox 360 (Dell Optiplex knockoff)
Zune (iPod knockoff)
MS Music (iTunes Store knockoff)
MS Money (Quicken knockoff)
MyPhone (MobileMe knockoff)
Xbox Live (CoverFlow knockoff)
Xbox Live avatars (Mii knockoff)
Project Natal (Wii/EyeToy knockoff)
Soapbox (YouTube knockoff)
Bing (Google knockoff)
Microsoft Stores (Apple Stores knockoff)
See, *tons* of original thinking there. Oh, wait...
DOS (acquired) - But successful
Windows (Mac knockoff) - Well, try a xerox ripoff dude. But VERY successful
Word (WordPerfect knockoff) - But successful
Excel (Lotus123 knockoff) - But successful
PowerPoint (acquired) - But successful
Xbox (PlayStation knockoff) - and playstation was a knock off of Sega / Nintendo
Xbox 360 (Dell Optiplex knockoff) - Oh please!
Zune (iPod knockoff) - Yeah, you're right.
MS Music (iTunes Store knockoff) - Hmmm, I like subscription based plans.
MS Money (Quicken knockoff) - MS Money sucks!
MyPhone (MobileMe knockoff) - Yeah, you're right.
Xbox Live (CoverFlow knockoff) - WTF?
Xbox Live avatars (Mii knockoff) - Yup!
Project Natal (Wii/EyeToy knockoff) - let see a final product first.
Soapbox (YouTube knockoff) - Yeah, epic fail.
Bing (Google knockoff) - But still doing ok.
Microsoft Stores (Apple Stores knockoff) Apple stores are a knock off Sony stores
I guess my point is that who gives a crap if its a knock off or acquired, If its successful.
FYI.
Apple OSX = Linux Knock off.
@puggs
Looks like you were kind of surprised with your own post there. And you wonder why no one likes MS?
They make money, sure but so does Procter and Gamble. So does IBM. Billions and Billions.
We don't root for the boring unoriginal knock off company. Get it?
(actually that implicit comparison is not fair. Those other two companies are way more interesting than MS)
Who needs a focus group when you can just gather somewhat more legitimate input from people on the net?
Quix, how long have you had the apple seed jammed down your throat? Since birth? You and Paul Chapel combined is the worst thing I have ever seen on the internet. You beat 2girls1cup shit. You are worse. Jesus, get me out of this nightmare.
I've been using *both* Windows and Macs for a long, long time, thanks. Probably longer than you've been around. Which means I can smell what Microsoft is shoveling, unlike most of the tools here.
"Jesus, get me out of this nightmare."
Alt-F4
Someone has already chronicled the way things would be if Microsoft ruled the world. Check it out, everything is described in great detail. Just go down to your local library and ask for a copy of 1984.
This is great news. I remember when I went looking for a new PC Laptop last year and what a nightmare that experience was. You go to a place like Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart, etc. The displays were janky - they didn't have the machines turned on where you can actually play with them, the looked picked over, horrible, no one around to help you. The only way I could purchase a computer that I wanted was to order it online through Dell - I didn't want to spend that kind of money ($1,800) plus have to wait almost a month for my machine to be delivered. By comparison I purchased a Mac earlier in the year, even though I hate Apple - I wanted to try my hand at developing iPhone apps. The experience was like night and day. Walked into the store, looked around, tried to avoid the "Genius" Asshats and was out in about 15 minutes. I thought at the time, why can't Microsft have their own stores where they can make it a pleasant shopping environment and control the experience.
Didn't you read. the folks that dont even use MS products, think it's stupid. How on Earth can a guy that actually does know what's good for him?
eh.
I'll check it out for sure. But, for me. I would like them to sell something besides software. Tech books, tech e-books. How to books, how to e-books. If they don't do that, then I'll just do what I always do.
Go to the Microsoft web site, and if I can't find the answer there. google is my friend. Lol, or by from Amazon
Spring is here... our dog Wednesday has begun his 6 month period of shedding. I will have more time to read engadget if I don't have to keep cleaning the house!
ha gurubar i loled
Apple Employees of the Month gets to hunt for loose change at Bill Gates' house.
Yay! Microsoft can now have a store with completely overpriced products and no price matching! Yay! All the stupid people file into the Apple and Windows stores! Yay!
Apple just opened a flagship store in Scottsdale, at the Scottsdale Quarter...is that where the new MS store will be? Any idea Engadget?
I love that Redmond's designer's appear to be using Google Sketchup for their presentation. The borg just can't win.
hmm. why do those stores look vaguely familiar? I guess I'm just going crazy.
Of course the plans aren't finalized. . .Apple might come up with more ideas before the MS store opens.
I don't care about whether or not MSFT's strategy makes sense...
my concern is, that those renderings look like something an advertising person whipped up for conceptual layouts, whereby the final design will be an uninteresting cacophony of objects in a box. Instead of utilizing the 3D volume of the space to distinguish itself apart from most other retail stores, this puppy is just yet another iteration of common retail.
Of course they're real!
They look corny and rip off Apple.
Was there any doubt this came straight from MS?
i seen a commercial for this like last week
Apple fanbois(not Apple users, there's a difference) are the period blood that falls from Apple's vag. They're the new religion that shove their ideals, morals and beliefs down your throat. =) Yes, I mentioned religion.
Personally, I think these stores will do just fine, being that Windows is used much more than Mac. i.e. businesses, libraries, the average home, the average laptop user, etc. I can see why Apple is massively successful and I give credit where it's due. I just don't like iPhones or Mac Books for me, as person. I do own an iPod, but I bought it before the Zune came out and I'm happy with it.
Even if it is true that the MS stores will be flooded with people wanting their shit fixed, that's still an oppurtunity for MS to step it up and make an awesome impression and keep customers coming back. Or they'll fail. Either way, everyone will see. Someone will be right and someone will be wrong.
WHAT. Scottsdale?? Why in the world would they want to open up a retail space in this Godforsaken piss hole?? After living here for five years, I'm moving out in September and my friends have never seen me happier. Granted, there's a ton of development popping up, but I just can't see this emerging on the average Scottsdale douchbag's radar. There really are only three kinds of businesses here: clubs, sushi bars, and golf courses.
Scottsdale... Jesus.
@Matthew
I'm born and raised in Phoenix, Az and I couldn't agree with you more. Scottsdale is a nice place to visit(in my opinion) but all the bros and bro hos, stuck up soccer moms with fake tits and all the white collar business pricks who need to drive expensive cars to showcase their important desk jobs is a little overwhelming. Personally, there's tons of spots in Down Town Phoenix they should have opened this in since that's where all the major businesses are. I realize that Scottsdale is considered one of the highend spots in Az, but I wouldn't consider it a very communitive spot to showcase this store.
"WHAT. Scottsdale?? Why in the world would they want to open up a retail space in this Godforsaken piss hole??"
So its a dump. And its trashy and tacky?
Matthew, I want to show you this thing called Windows....
No seriously, its got night clubs and .. *gasp sushi and *double gasp GOLF?
I think this place is a little too rich for MS. Do you have any more skankier places where someone might want, say, a Zune or a Windows Home Server? How about some Microsoft T Shirts?
@Can_You_Lend_A_Nigga_A_Pencil
I agree. Maybe the 7th & Roosevelt area, or maybe downtown (especially with the light rail now in place). Tempe would make sense too, especially around ASU (maybe the University & Ash area, although it might be a little too sleepy). I just can't think of anywhere in Scottsdale that's kind of away from that fake-tits-and-x-medium-t-shirt crowd.
But that's just it, isn't it? It would make sense to pick a spot where people are spending money, and sometimes I feel that's the ONLY thing to do in Scottsdale.
@mike
It's kind of funny, just because Scottsdale's brand of skanky is a little more Apple than Microsoft--we joke about it all the time on the Engadget comment pages, but it's the sort of place where certain groups WILL determine a person's worth depending on whether or not you have an iPhone. When you think Scottsdale Douchbag, think of the guy who buys a Macbook Air and keeps it on his desk all day.
Scottsdale is like... Imagine the worst parts of Miami, rolled up into a suburban bundle. It's a strip mall Vegas.
@ Matthew
"it's the sort of place where certain groups WILL determine a person's worth depending on whether or not you have an iPhone."
Holy Jesus, that is soooo true. I'm a pretty ghetto kid. I basically sport t-shirts I get from goin' to shows and I own two pairs of shitty jeans and a pair of shoes. If you're in Scottsdale and you're not wearing Ed Hardy(horrible, horrible "tattoo" designs), Gucci, Louis Vuitton
or some other super expensive clothing you're looked down on. What's even better is the Scottsdale population that does own an iPhone know *0* about the device outside of texting and making a phone call(I've made my own investigation of this). At least avid Apple users/fanbois know what iPhone is actually worth.
Down Town Tempe would also be a good place. I actually didn't even consider that being near ASU would be solid grounds for an MS store. I have quite a few friends that go there that are actually not douche bags and are extremely tech savvy. They're pretty stoked on the store.
It seems as though that every time something is leaked from Microsoft, they confirm it a couple days later. Anyone working for Microsoft willing to "leak" that they're money grubbing bastards?
"Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division has released their profit information for the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. While the division did manage to make a profit for the second straight year, raking in $169 million. It was down considerably from the previous fiscal year, where they made $497 million."
i think i broke it
the funny thing is i found out from my friend that works at the apple store in Mission Viejo that the mircrosoft store is actually going in 6 doors down from them. should be interesting at least.
I agree with you guys about why Scottsdale. Lived there early in life and own the property still on the north end. The funny thing about this story is that I moved to Mission Viejo 13 years ago. First to hear Scottsdale as a location is just like it was said earlier by some people....cheap leases there (Maybe some parts of Florida would be cheaper). I find it bull for that location unless someone sees proof.
Second....since I live in Mission Viejo I know there is no construction in the mall unless they are putting up some kiosk or somethin. But I have not check the city business records yet so I can't confirm it. If anyone wants to know a tidbit about this location.....The mall is on the most south end of the city and does include your average Apple store and also is the most south store of Orange County. And the weirdest part for Mission Viejo being a location is that its probably the fifth nicest and closer to 10th in the most traffic from consumers - #1 Probably being Newport Beach "Fashion Island" (Has an Apple store) #2 South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa (Has an Apple store) #3 & 4 being The Spectrum in Irvine (Has an Apple store) and The Block in Orange. If #1-4 rents would be so much more that Mission Viejo's. If it was to go in, WORST DECISION for Microsoft for whatever plans they have.
OK, HERE ARE CONFIRMED PICTURES OF THE LOCATION OF THE COMING MICROSOFT STORE IN MISSION VIEJO!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41013317@N06/3773802240/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41013317@N06/3772996257/
I went to the mall offices and talked to a pretty young lady who said "Yesterday I couldn't tell you but, TODAY I can. YES, the Microsoft store WILL be in the old LIMITED location!"
I'll post more pictures if I can get inside later on.