Today is a monumental day for Microsoft. The first retail store opened in Arizona. The Microsoft online store was remodeled (it first opened in November 2008) and now sells PCs and 3rd party software and accessories.
Microsoft shill Mary Jo Foley sounds worried:
I have to admit I’m doubtful Microsoft is going to be able to pull off anything as sleek and hip as Apple has with its retail stores. And launching stores in major retail areas is an expensive proposition. But I’ll try and keep an open mind. Who knows: Maybe the Redmondians will find a way to one-up the Apple store, minus the attitude….
Attitude?
Oh, one more thing. Windows 7 debuts today, too.
Without question, Windows 7 will do better than Windows Vista. XP is just too long in the tooth to make business users suffer much longer. I’ll go on record and state that Microsoft’s brick and mortar stores will not be as popular or as successful as Apple’s retail stores. The newly revamped online Microsoft Store is another vain attempt to thwart Apple’s online sales success.
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