Exclusive photos, video from Microsoft Store grand opening
Microsoft debuted its first retail store in Scottsdale, Ariz., Thursday to coincide with the launch of Windows 7, and AppleInsider has exclusive photos, video and details from the grand opening event.
Reader Charles A. Keller Sr. provided photos and video from the launch event at a packed store inside the Scottsdale Fashion Center. Inside the new location, the walls are lined with continuous screens that rotate through images. The store also includes a multi-touch Microsoft Surface table.
In the back of the store is the "Guru Bar," Microsoft's answer to the Genius Bars at Apple stores. The station where Windows Gurus are located has the word "Answers" on its left and right side.
At least one former Mac Specialist is said to work at the Arizona location. Keller, a former Apple Retail employee, said he knows others who were approached by Microsoft and offered similar wages to what Apple pays.
In September, reports suggested that Microsoft was offering raises to key Apple Store managers in an attempt to lure them away. Those who jumped ship were allegedly asked to attempt to recruit the most seasoned Apple employees they had presided over in their previous job.
Inside the store at Thursday's opening was said to be an "impressive line" of people. Many patrons who made purchases walked out with smaller bags, likely to have copies of Windows 7. At least one customer was seen purchasing an HP TouchSmart PC, one of the third-party hardware options available.
In attendance was Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner, who has been with the company since 2005. Turner himself made comments in recent months that his company intends to get aggressive with Apple in the retail space, going as far as to say that Microsoft plans to open stores right next door to Apple.
Microsoft COO Kevin Turner at Thursday's event.
Turner also made headlines this summer when he bragged about a phone call he received from Apple's legal department over a Laptop Hunters advertisement. Apple reportedly called the Redmond, Wash., software giant over an outdated "Laptop Hunters" ad that showed a MacBook Pro with higher pricing. Microsoft later quietly changed the ad.
Thursday's grand opening is just the first Microsoft store, and Apple's rival to the north intends to open more in the coming months. Among them is a brick and mortar destination located near an existing Apple Store in The Shops in Mission Viejo, Calif. Apple recently closed that location for renovations.
Reader Charles A. Keller Sr. provided photos and video from the launch event at a packed store inside the Scottsdale Fashion Center. Inside the new location, the walls are lined with continuous screens that rotate through images. The store also includes a multi-touch Microsoft Surface table.
In the back of the store is the "Guru Bar," Microsoft's answer to the Genius Bars at Apple stores. The station where Windows Gurus are located has the word "Answers" on its left and right side.
At least one former Mac Specialist is said to work at the Arizona location. Keller, a former Apple Retail employee, said he knows others who were approached by Microsoft and offered similar wages to what Apple pays.
In September, reports suggested that Microsoft was offering raises to key Apple Store managers in an attempt to lure them away. Those who jumped ship were allegedly asked to attempt to recruit the most seasoned Apple employees they had presided over in their previous job.
Inside the store at Thursday's opening was said to be an "impressive line" of people. Many patrons who made purchases walked out with smaller bags, likely to have copies of Windows 7. At least one customer was seen purchasing an HP TouchSmart PC, one of the third-party hardware options available.
In attendance was Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner, who has been with the company since 2005. Turner himself made comments in recent months that his company intends to get aggressive with Apple in the retail space, going as far as to say that Microsoft plans to open stores right next door to Apple.
Microsoft COO Kevin Turner at Thursday's event.
Turner also made headlines this summer when he bragged about a phone call he received from Apple's legal department over a Laptop Hunters advertisement. Apple reportedly called the Redmond, Wash., software giant over an outdated "Laptop Hunters" ad that showed a MacBook Pro with higher pricing. Microsoft later quietly changed the ad.
Thursday's grand opening is just the first Microsoft store, and Apple's rival to the north intends to open more in the coming months. Among them is a brick and mortar destination located near an existing Apple Store in The Shops in Mission Viejo, Calif. Apple recently closed that location for renovations.
Comments
http://images.appleinsider.com/ms-coo-091022.jpg
I'm confused. At the top of the page I read that this site is called AppleInsider yet the title of this article is "Exclusive photos, video from Microsoft Store grand opening." Something isn't adding up.
They have to have some humour don't they?
I guess the fantasy is finally fulfilled for Windows fan. They now have a place to call their own.
The Guru bars should do good business.
That guy on the bench is pissed!!
http://images.appleinsider.com/ms-coo-091022.jpg
He must have been talking to a PC Genius and learned how it's his own fault that his computer doesn't work.
They have to have some humour don't they?
Yeah. I'm surprised they didn't have an article about Windows 7 being amazon's highest grossing preorder of all time. You know, just for the humor of it.
Congrats Cheryl. You rock. If nothing else, I'm sure the team is excited, motivated, and happy to have a great leader.
Did Cheryl Crow perform?
The store thing is so 2001.
I guess the fantasy is finally fulfilled for Windows fan. They now have a place to call their own.
The Guru bars should do good business.
If the store thing is so 2001, why does Apple continue to open stores? The genius bar is pretty busy most of the time when I walk into the Apple store, so the myth that it "just works" is just that a myth.
BLATANT copying of Apple. It's just pathetic now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Hk0...layer_embedded
BLATANT copying of Apple. It's just pathetic now.
I know. Opening a store, how dare they.
If the store thing is so 2001, why does Apple continue to open stores? The genius bar is pretty busy most of the time when I walk into the Apple store, so the myth that it "just works" is just that a myth.
So Apple's #1 rating in customer satisfaction, year after year, just happened by sheer accident. And consumers handing Apple record quarter after record quarter in Mac sales don't actually exist.
There's a reason MS lost the Premium market and is constantly embarrassed by Apple in nearly every area in which it competes. And that's no accident.
If the store thing is so 2001, why does Apple continue to open stores? The genius bar is pretty busy most of the time when I walk into the Apple store, so the myth that it "just works" is just that a myth.
Were they suppose to open close to 300 stores in a year?
Oh yeah, I know the Genius bars stay fairly busy. Just poking a bit of fun. I have gone there with a iPod problem once and with an aunt with a Macbook battery problem. I like the online reservation thing.
Just have to see how this store does once the holidays are over.
Alot of media did not give Apple a chance of success with their stores.
In reality, its the stores that have really driven record sales for Apple.
The stores also did well because Apples retail support network was not that great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Hk0...layer_embedded
BLATANT copying of Apple. It's just pathetic now.
Even the poster on the wall is complete copy of Apple's iPhone apps poster you find in Apple Stores
If the store thing is so 2001, why does Apple continue to open stores? The genius bar is pretty busy most of the time when I walk into the Apple store, so the myth that it "just works" is just that a myth.
The idea is 2001. The point made is that MS is about 8 years behind and copying Apple still.
Think of it as the start to the Kentucky Derby. Apple left the gate when the gun went off. MS had to wait and see if it was a good idea to race and then took off 8 years later.
Even the poster on the wall is complete copy of Apple's iPhone apps poster you find in Apple Stores
Oh right- I forgot no retail store has ever posted large pictures of their products on their walls before. Does Apple own a copyright on that? GAP anyone?
Even the poster on the wall is complete copy of Apple's iPhone apps poster you find in Apple Stores
Where the hell is all of MS' R&D money going? Chairs? Coffee runs?
Even the tables in the vid look the same. Just with PCs on them.