Microsoft Store opening Thursday with Ashley Tisdale
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Oct 19th 2009 1:26AM
posted Oct 19th 2009 1:26AM
[Thanks, Sebastian O.]
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Not San Fran, not LA, not NYC, not DC... they picked hip and happenin' Scottsdale!
Exactly I can totally see some 40 something ms fanboys rushing to get aoutographed windows 7 cd. Or maybe aoutographed windows mobile cell.
Dee Dee deee!!
Hilarious. Engadget please gives us some live video feed from Zack n Cody Disney channel chic.
ashley tisdale doesn't know how to work/type/do shit on a computer.
And that's how it should be.
This is a complete mindfuck. Why and why.
If there was a betting shop giving good odds on half a dozen or so Mactards (not Mac owners - they're not the same thing and I think we all know the difference) trolling away in this topic I would be a rich man by now.
Let's be honest, guys: Apple aren't cool anymore and Microsoft are becoming interesting again. Your over compensatory yapping just kind of drives the point home.
Although, in fairness, I'm not sure what a Microsoft shop will sell. Surely this is a PR exercise rather than a serious retail venture? Not that it matters, it's publicity.
You would think that if they were going for hip and happenin', they would've chosen to open the Mission Viejo store first. I'd guess that South Orange County is a bit more hip than Arizona, but I really just want them to open the Mission Viejo one first because I'm within 5 miles of the store.
yeah, in terms of marketing, and actually having a good market presence....this is quite possibly the worst region to grand open a store
Mark Andersen- Living proof on Engadget that MS douchecocks are just as bad as the "Mactards."
Good news for MS investors! Another MONEY LOSING venture from MS is coming!
It's most likely a Grand-Soft Opening. To test some retail procedures common work trends and see some 'real' general feedback from customer in the store and day-to-day feedback from the consultants about how the store 'feels'.
@Millah
See, that's the problem - because I've criticised a bunch of immature twats you assume that I'm doing so because I'm an MS fanboy and not just someone who finds the capering of fan monkeys of any stripe a little tedious.
I realise that attention to detail isn't high on Generation Y's agenda but you might want to read what I actually wrote.
@Mark
"Apple aren't cool anymore and Microsoft are becoming interesting again"
With this, you are either a fanboy or delusional! Just using the term 'Mactards' blows your cover.
At least you didn't make the mistake of stating that in contrast to Apple's uncoolness, Microsoft was becoming 'cool.' That would just give you away completely.
Considering how this is a complete non-event, the choice of ashley tisdale, whoever the frack she is, is a perfect match. In any case , count me there, sitting right in front of the store on my beach chair, pop corn in hand, getting ready to enjoy one of the biggest FAIL Fat Boy Ballmer ever came up with! Oh boy, it's gonna be fun to watch!!
On this note, my now traditional toast: " Thank you Steve Ballmer, for yet another idea to make AAPL look even more irresistible!"
LOL...
Yeah but I'm sure they won't do a really lame chant like Apple does when they open a store...
He said "pop corn."
Lawl to the ESL student.
@Jordan
No, not unless you count "developers, developers, deveopers" or "I. Love. This. Company. Yeahh!" as lame chants.
@Skeezle: Those still sound like Apple chants, the first one being the developers for the app store who think their gods with their crappy apps, and the second being the religious cult following that follows Apple around.
@Jordan Total fail. Those are both Ballmer quotes.
D.C.? How is that "hip and happenin" Delete that from your list and I would agree.
SRS??
I really love that Microsoft has to tell everyone to "be excited".
I really "love" how apple fans have to tell Windows users not to be excited.
Word.
I also love how Microsoft has to tell (i.e. bribe) people to have a "party" to "celebrate" the launch of their newest OS lmao!
Bribe? Really? Like how Apple bribes it customers with free iPods to get them to buy a computer every back-to-school season...?
@ wixos : don't be jealous that apple gives away free ipods when they buy a notebook, steve from ms just can't do that because his device is still just available in one country so he can't just produce more then enough to give 'em away! but hey ask him for a free tattoo of your very cute and very attractive logo, that should be possible :)
@Wixos
- Get a free iPod Touch when you buy a MacBook Pro for college
- We'll give you a free copy of Windows 7 if you throw a "party" for us
One of these is not like the other. Also, I am not sure you know what the word "bribe" means.
@ ridley182
- Get a free iPod Touch if you buy a computer from us.
- Get a free copy of Windows 7 if you throw us a party.
They both seem like "Hey we'll give you this if you do this for us."
I'm not the one who started using the word bribe out of it's typical context.
wixos think first, post second.
Actually, Swiss, Microsoft can't do that because they don't make computers. They allow anyone to install their OS on any hardware they choose. Unlike Apple, where, well you all look boring and lame using the same monotonous computer.
And even if they tried to give a free Zune with a computer purchase, they would probably get sued for trying to get market share in the portable media player area by "forcing" users to use a Zune by giving them one free. Just sayin, that's the kind of crap Microsoft has to deal with, while Apple gets to do whatever it chooses.
I love that its the Apple people who are supposed to be nothing but hipsters wanting to look cool, but everyday i hear talk about how it sucks for us all using the same "boring" computer, and nothing stylish like dells with nail polish color on them or some horrific we tore this off some emo kids deviant art page 70 color rainbow montage. So what your saying is your 4 colored plastic abortion with 75 stickers on it is what we are missing out on? Thank god for that.
@Tsing:
Mmmmm No, that's what you're saying. What I'm saying is you all use the same boring looking computer. Like drones following their leader.
tweens love microsoft!
bonus points if Tisdale comes in flanked by Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer lol
Pretty damn sure that Ballmer will turn up.
I can imagine Ballmer's crazy excitement and excessive sweating due to the Arizona heat already...
What the fuck is a TWEEN?! o_O
balmer has an appointment in nyc on the 22nd, im sure you guys all know what im talking about.
WTF. !
Ashley tisdale, high school musical actress.
Lol what a fail this is microsofts failed attempt to be as hip as apple n iTunes.
I wish I could witness ut I'd lmao.
I can totally see ms fanboys rushing the stage to get a glimpse for an autographed windows 7 cd. Lol!!!
(facepalm)
Ashley who? Never heard of her....
Ashley Titsdale!!! Im on board
Ashley Tisdale is being given away to the first 1000 customers??? sweet!!!
Same here, who?
doesnt she have a high school musical show to be doing or something...
I heard Disney and Microsoft are planning to release High School Musical 4 with Windows as the main theme.
Ashley? FORELZ!? I would rather have Spiderma-
oh wait...
I'm not one to buy into these MS copied this or Apple copied that, but come on! This is a blatant ripoff! The worst part is Microsoft doesn't need this. Apple neede their own stores because they couldn't get placement in big box retailer. Microsoft has all the exposure in the world! They need to let go of this obsession with Apple and Google and play to their own strengths.
It's a reactionary presence in the retail space. The main target is Apple which has turned their retail stores into a major success (compared with previous retail efforts by Dell, Gateway and Sony - all of which are in retreat). So what do you do? Concede the space to Apple? Microsoft isn't intending to make (much) money from these stores. It's about profile. It'll probably work, but given that Microsoft does not exhibit the same control-freak behavior of Apple where every detail is planned out and there is some semblance of "harmony" in their product designs, Microsoft will have to rely on ever changing and often incongruous products to display. It is good timing for Windows 7 (and bad timing for WinMo 6.5). Microsoft can still afford to burn money like TG in 30 Rock - but this is a form of presence advertising that is needed when you are in a mature market you dominate.
When you have Apple trashing their products daily, and every other company trying to get a piece of their pie it is clear to see this is a wise move. Many people are not aware about all the things their Microsoft products can do. For instance, how many people know that their Xbox can be synced with their Media Center software? Or that Zune and Xbox has partial integration?
Best Buy employees cannot offer all the details because they have too many other products to train for and everyone knows that going to a Wal-Mart associate for advice on tech is a no-no. So this is a great move by Microsoft. They have been trashed for the past 3 years and although they still sell products people have a lot of misconceptions about them. Opening their own specialty stores can help to change that.
You open a store to advertise? What if they look like Sony Style stores? If anything, those things (the ones I have seen anyway) make me NOT want to buy Sony products. Just because Apple does well in the retail does not mean MS will or even needs to.
As for showing how well their products work together, if that is really an issue, then they need better marketing and ease of use, and a store is not it.
Microsoft needs to concentrate on better integrating their products and making sure their core products, Office and Windows, stay relevant. The PC industry is on the verge of another revolution where traditional desktop apps and OS's may be left for dead and Microsoft is worried about competing with the Apple Store?
i doubt it takes MS much effort to throw some products in a store. it's not detracting from development of windows or office, and it's supposed to help build this new image they've been working on more recently.
@maveric:
Clearly MS is not fully concentrated on core products. Windows 7 has positive buzz and is good, but is really 2 years late. It should have been Vista. Office on the web is a half-ass'd joke and as the mobile device market is in the process of a huge revolution, MS is putting out a band-aid (WinMo 6.5) while we wait a year for WinMo 7. IE 8 is still the slowest browser and still does not adhere to any standards. I mean, they release a fantastic piece of hardware in the Zune HD and put a so-so browser and no app store!
There are a lot more fish in the sea this time around. Microsoft isn't going to be able to just waltz in and live off the Windows/Office name as they have in the past. They need to rip down the silos, start collaborating between the differing departments and working on seamless integration between their hardware, software, and the web. Case in point, why has Zune Marketplace, XBOX Marketplace, PlaysForSure, and now their mobile app store coexisted so long? That needs to be a single store accessible across all of their platforms. Microsoft has all of the pieces, Windows, Office, XBOX, and Zune. They need to put them together and stop competing against themselves.
Wow that was a rant. It just angers me to see the potential in Microsoft blown on trying to follow what leaders in mind share are doing. You don't knock off Google or Apple by being them.
MS has one huge strength that can go a long way towards keeping its stores vital.
Gaming.
Gaming is an afterthought for Macs, then you have XBox on top of it. MS definitely wants to avoid their stores being seen as too gamercentric, but I think some smart social network driven gaming events would keep traffic flowing.
The other thing they should look to is focusing on the depth of software available only on PCs. Have workstations demo-ing a range of professional softs, to highlight this theme of PC universality. That almost every person or thing you interact with did something productive today on a PC running Windows.
Whatever they do, it needs to be clear that these stores shouldn't be little MS branded Best Buys.
Best Buy......
Ms fanboys where r u?
Crickets. I bet Balmer thought of this.
sorry, explain again what "MS fanboys" should be doing?
You are supposed to be queuing right now. To show how much you want Windows 7.
Wherever they are, they are obviously not buying Zune HDs, because it's been well over a month and we haven't heard anything regarding sales numbers. The 32GB one is #20 at Amazon's MP3 rankings and being outsold by the iPod Nanos (yes, Nano), Sansas and Clics. The 16GB one is at 42 or 43 I don't remember. They are in stock pretty much everywhere I've checked, so shortages are definitively not the cause.
I really doubt that these stores are gonna help them sell anymore than they already are either.
There is a very nice, large Apple store in this same shopping center. It will continue to be full of customers while the Microsoft store gets about as much traffic as Gateways stores did. This is Ballmers folly due to his envy of Apple. The very existence of Apple is a continual reminder how mediocre Microsoft's products are.
Not really. You're kind of wrong. Stupid as well.
Yeah, that's why Apple has a 90% market share for computer OSes right?
Microsoft chose this area specifically because of the presence of the Apple store. The whole point is to hit Apple where it hurts. Unfortunately the Apple store they have decided to pick on here is a very impressive structure that in and of itself is very well designed.
http://images.apple.com/retail/images/store_photos/photo_scottsdalequarter.jpg
Will give you an idea of what it looks like. So Microsoft will have some going to make a store there attractive to buyers.
@Hurricane "Yeah, that's why Apple has a 90% market share for computer OSes right?"
Exactly! Microsoft is king in this space, hence why their profitability is at an all time high and their share price is... oh wait...
More like MS has a 0% marketshare in Computers, a 0% marketshare in smartphones, and a 2% share in digital media players.
In fact, Apple has a market share of over 90% in the premium segment of laptop sales (laptops for $1000 and more). Obviously, there will be more netbook sales than macs, as the prices are only a fraction of apple's.
I live in Scottsdale, and there is no apple store at Scottsdale mall fyi
@ Starcolm
Yes....but all of Apple's computers except one are over $1000 (when including tax, the MacBook is $999, come on). If they have...8% of the entire market, and Microsoft has the remaining 92%...that means 92% of people don't really give a crap about laptops in that price range...which means Apple isn't targeting the right markets...
Who the f*ck is Ass-lee Tisdale?
That was a terrible, terrible pun. Embarrassing, really.
You should have just gone the full monty and called her Ass-lee Tits-dale while you were at it. ;P
Omg. WTF. Lol. Idk. Srsly.
Your mom smoked crack when she was prego with you didn't she?
*exasperated sigh*
Honestly Microsoft? Ashley Tisdale AND Scottsdale? Of all people and places... I am fascinated as to how they decided upon each candidate (probably a 12-year-old girl and a map taped over a dartboard). Me? My picks would be Jonathan Coulton (an obvious geek that fits better, if not perfectly, for the launch of an EFFING operating system) and Redmond (you know, like, the place you, like, originated from?).
This is beyond words. Someone please post an ASCII facepalm: this post is desperately in need of one.
why would they want someone who appeals to geeks? people who are interested in the industry already know about, and have made up their mind, when it comes to Windows 7 and other Microsoft products. They need someone who will bring in people who wouldn't usually anticipate an OS launch.
I'm not saying Ashley Tisdale is the right person. I'm really confused by that choice as well, but your idea doesn't hold much water either
Code monkey ftw! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqTaqVi9J8k
@truth
maybe like most of the world, she doesnt want a mac :o
but really, whats the big deal, if it was her going to a mac store it wouldnt make a difference, so she wants a PC, who cares?
... you do realize there's a commenting system in place?
Hey Bill gates, can you help me program my Zune? Oh that's right, I have an ipod like the rest of the world :*P
I kinda want to go and see one of these stores.
@ kevin
LOL...Bill insult? How original....NEEEEEEEEEEEXXXXXXTTTTTTTTT
SP
What's a Zune?
A Zune is that revolutionary media player that's currently selling like hotcakes: #20 on Amazon's MP3 player list and #127 among Electronics bestsellers. It's being outsold by 4 SanDisk models, not to mention 15 models from some fruit company.
As soon as I saw the name Ashley Tisdale, I knew that Microsoft has already half-assed the project, like Zune. cmon Microsh!t, you have the majority of our worlds money, use it to get someone good.
you do realize that using the term "Microsh!t" immediately invalidates your opinion, right?
LOL,
Is it me or the Apple fanboys reaching to bash anything MSFT, Droid, or Verizon lately. Its a store opening..............Thats it.
SP
"Its a store opening..............Thats it."
That is the point. Microsoft appear to be relying on this as the second coming. If you are using the phrase "Apple fanboys" then I would assume that you are in the pro Microsoft camp but even you have pointed out that this is "just a store opening".
The problem is what is this store going to sell? If they are promoting specific manufacturers hardware then they are going to get other companies upset. If they stock the lot then it is going to look and feel like Best Buy.
I actually think that they are probably going for the Sony Style places that were around in all the upscale shopping centers. A sort-of experiential place where you can experience all that Microsoft has to offer. But selling hardware? Not so much.
The point being is that this has to succeed for Microsoft and I don't mean just the opening. There has to be a reason for people to go to this store on a regular basis or it will just be another example of what the current brain-dead Microsoft management team think, namely if Apple can do it then we should just be able to cut and paste that and "roll 'em out".
We shall see but I for one think this whole idea is misconceived.
@ ratty
You've made some valid points my friend. Im in the PC camp BTW. MSFT is doing this in a way to get in touch with their current consumers base and hopefully bring in more. This is in no way a do or die situation. MSFT s bread and butter is software. Anything else is icing on the cake. Relax people, its just a store.
SP
RattyUK - why does this have to succeed for Microsoft? This is one of two stores they're opening initially, I really don't think the company is existing on the success or failure of two retail outlets. If these are successful, they'll expand. If not, they'll probably stay the only two.
"Why does this have to succeed for Microsoft? This is one of two stores they're opening initially, I really don't think the company is existing on the success or failure of two retail outlets. If these are successful, they'll expand. If not, they'll probably stay the only two."
The point being is that this is very important to Microsoft's strategy. I have to confess that I don't know what that is but Microsoft have spent a very large amount of money developing this and they seriously want to make this work.
When they first announced the "store" concept they specifically picked areas where Apple were trading in. Now I don't know whether this is because they wish to reclaim some turf in the malls or whether they are actually doing this to make money but it does seem an incredible waste of money for a company that sells software.
I don't mean that the stores failing will bring down Microsoft. What I meant is that as far as Microsoft's current management is concerned they appear to be desperate to make this work.
I am also unsure what successful means.
If they are going the experiential route then they could keep them open and let everyone experience what they have to offer.
If they are actually going for a store, where you can buy things, then these places have to make money. They are going up against Apple who, like it or not, are probably the most profitable retailer in these spaces. This is a very dangerous battleground for them. Because if, after the run-up to Christmas, or, heaven forbid during it, the Microsoft store is empty while the Apple store is booming then people will notice.
If MS were really that culturally aware, they would've gotten the cast of Glee to show up. Ashley Tisdale is so 2006. Kinda like Windows Vista.
@ mlayer
Seriously....NEEEEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXXXTTTTTTTTTTT
SP
Maybe if they were opening in NY or LA they would try to do such a thing, but I hear Ashley Tisdale is big in Scottsdale's strip mall.
@ EminiSP
Seriously. The Tisdale move reminds me of Amy Poehler's character in Mean Girls. You know, the mom who wants to be her daughter's best friend instead of her parent? Note to MSFT: Stop. Trying. So. Hard.
dude, even Amy Poehler lays down better jokes..
Ashley Tisdale? This has to be the worst special guest since Harley-Davidson had Elton John play their 100th Anniversary party. Because we all know freedom-loving bikers love gay British pop stars. And Microsoft fans love... well, I'm not entirely sure what it is they love, but Ashley Tisdale ain't it.
Microsoft has a large user base so I'm sure there a few PC user who love Ashley Tisdale. Right?
Exactly. a large USER base. not a large FAN base.
people use MS stuff because they have to.
if you water-boarded me enough times, I'd probably confess to being an... er... Ashley Tisdale fan... That doesn't mean its the truth!
Actually the choice of Ashley Tisdaile and Scottsdale, AZ makes a lot of sense. For those that don't know, Scottsdale is the rich part of the Phoenix metro area. Most tweens, teenagers and youth in there are showered endlessly with whatever they want (think 16 year old driving a BMW, Audi, or even Bentley). This demographic will be drawn by Ashley Tisdale and if MS can get them thinking that Microsoft is cool or at least interesting, these kids will get it (expendable income). ...and if the rich kids, often the early adopters, get on board, there could potentially be a trickle down effect throughout the entire youth demographic.
The twenty-something Mac fanboys are usually past the point of rationally considering anything Microsoft under any condition. By this move, MS is trying to get to people before they're totally set in their ways.
The MS of the past would NEVER have done anything like this. Though mac fanboys refuse to admit it (I know, I've talked to some), MS is becoming a different company than it was before, playing by totally different rules.
Yup. The Microsoft of old used to just copy Apple whenever they had the chance and could get away with it. The Microsoft of today on other hand just tries to copy Apple whenever they have the chance and can get away with it...
...
...oh wait.
Sorry, but if you fail to see how Microsoft has been putting out some genuinely good stuff as of late (Win7, ZuneHD, Zune 4.0, and some may include WinMo 6.5 in this list) and how Apple has been putting out disappointing and downright awful stuff as of late (latest batch of iPods, Snow Leopard), then there is no point in having a rational debate with you.
Although I think it should be brought to your attention that 99% of what every single company puts out is simply an improvement on something that's been done before, and, yes, this includes Apple, as well.
It would have been more clever to get Miley Cyrus (she has more power) and she could have sang her 7 Things song but switched it up with Windows 7 stuff.
Ugh...where do I sign up for the marketing department?
Based on my experience with MS hardware (other than mice, which are great): They'll have lineups and excitement, but after a while the carpets will get dirty, they'll stop cleaning the windows, the shelves will be bare, and the staff will have no useful knowledge other than the amounts of their bi-weekly paychecks. MS will eventually forget that the store actually exists but will continue paying for the space and the salaries of those employees who still show up to work because the amount of money involved isn't enough to throw up any flags in the accounting system. In the end it will still be functional and full of potential but forgotten, unsupported, and devoid of meaning.