tech industry

08/30/2005, 10:45am, EDT

Tuesday, August 30th

Microsoft to open store in Times Square?

Microsoft is reportedly hunting for a store in Times Square, hoping to make the jump into retail, a move that would heighten competition with Apple. Apple took the risk of retail and cashed in, opening 110 stores to sell its products and brand the Apple name. Microsoft is looking for a large space in an effort to create an experience similar to Apple's showroom and information center, according to the New York Post. It makes sense for Microsoft to make a brand statement with a store, says Marianne Wilson, senior editor of Chain Store Age. "The Apple store has succeeded beyond their wildest dreams," she said. Microsoft would benefit from a retail presence, according to Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for NPD Group. Cohen said "they are not going to let Apple take that environment."


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They already failed
0
08/30, 11:29am, EDT
Didn't they have a story in Sony's Metreon? IIRC that didn't do too well. If Mickeysoft follows typical tech company marketing and design, I don't see it doing too well.
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Modelled on Windows
0
08/30, 11:36am, EDT
But they're months behind schedule trying to get the new glassy look and feel to the store. Apparently its at least ten times larger than it really needs to be with a huge gloomy area at the back where all of the important stuff is done (BUT YOU MUSTN'T GO IN THERE!) and you'll leave the shop by walking through the Entrance.
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Perfect Target
0
08/30, 11:39am, EDT
All the people who are fed up with Microsoft and Windows will have a place to go to vent their rage!

Molotov cocktails, bags of animal dung and cobblestones will be readily available from street vendors.
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the Xbox store?
0
08/30, 11:47am, EDT
Is this just about the Xbox 360? What are they going to try to sell to passing shoppers? Confusing...
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Could be infectious
0
08/30, 11:48am, EDT
Don't think I'd visit for risk of catching a virus.
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And........
0
08/30, 11:56am, EDT
What vendors will be the lucky ones to be the hardware supplier to the stores? Last I checked.... MS doesn't make computers unless they are plotting to be a hardware vendor and drive Dell and Gateway (the last gasping breath of them can be easily extinguised). So... what are they going to sell. Software? Will they have a presentation room? "Oh lookie here, another 'how to' with Excel. That will be a standing room only crowd. I'm sorry, MS is going to waste their money and I agree, at least this will be a place that people can express their frustrations face to face with real borg employees.
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Microsoft Hipness...
0
08/30, 12:04pm, EDT
Why am I getting visions of the fake "KFC Shredder!" ads from Saturday Night Live...

Ballmer will do his monkey boy dance at every opening; All walls will all be covered with the same "Bliss" desktop; Shelves will be along the bottom edges of the walls; Employees will be required to inject the words "sweet" "gnarly" and "max" into each other sentence.

Fresh-Faced Recruit
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08/30, 12:18pm, EDT
MS wants a store just to show off a line of waiting people when Hastalavista hits the stores. They wish :D
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betcha
0
08/30, 12:24pm, EDT
the windows won't work!

HA!
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Amazing
0
08/30, 1:00pm, EDT
Another fine example of Microsoft "innovating" by boldly going where Apple's been before. MS may have more marketshare but they themselves continually acknowledge who the real industry leader is.
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