Microsoft opens a new … Apple Store?
So, the Microsoft store’s grand opening Thursday seemed like it went well. About 100 people were waiting in line outside the Scottsdale, Ariz. flagship before the store opened (though no word yet if they were there for the free Ashley Tisdale concert tickets offered to the first 1,000 customers).
This article by the Arizona Republic will give you a good idea of what happened, etc., but what what we liked the most was this tweet commenting on a video posted by Microsoft’s Youtube account:
@tysone: Congratulations on opening your first Apple Store, Microsoft! http://bit.ly/1JOo0O
In less than 140 characters, Tyson Evans of the New York Times pointed out precisely what’s wrong with Microsoft’s branding strategy: The layout of their new store looks nearly identical to any one of the 275 Apple stores across the nation. In other words, Microsoft is trying hard to gain back some ground (and, perhaps, market share). The similarities start at sparse design and continue right down to the staffer’s cotton T-shirts.
What’s the deal, Microsoft? You’d think a company trying to start anew with Microsoft 7 after the much-maligned Windows Vista operating system would’ve tried to revamp the consumer experience. Check out the scenery below:
So far, this vid only boasts 346 views. Let’s hope Microsoft’s next store launch — slated for later this month in California — is met with a little more Web-based fanfare.
So this is how it is in America. Weird people applauding themselves for being able to walk into a store to spend their money.