3 ms·
First off, it actually is confusing to Apple customers. It's way too easy in our little bubble to really understand how little a normal person cares about the t
by bpatrianakos 14y ago
First off, it actually is confusing to Apple customers. It's way too easy in our little bubble to really understand how little a normal person cares about the things we care about. You have no idea how many people think that Googles search bar IS the address bar. I've seen people use the search bar of their browser and/or going to the Google homepage to search for "www.whateverSiteTheyKnewTheAddressOf.com" even though the address bar is literally 10 pixels from the search bar! This is the vast vast vast majority of people who use technology.
It's easy to scoff but these are your users (unless your users are just like you but that's rare).
I'd ask what is the advantage of having a Microsodt store? Why would it be beneficial for Microsoft to invest money in operating a chain of stores that serve the exact same purpose every other generic electronics store serves? To me there's no logic there unless the purpose is to confuse people or to try to make your brand seem like its equivalent in a "well this looks like Apple so it must be the same" kind of way.
- corporalagumbo 14y agoClearly Microsoft wants to develop a brand on an equal footing with Apple. There's no other way to survive against Apple. Building Microsoft retail stores (fronted with their rather lovely, modern logo) and staking out their own retail domain, away from the clutter of the big boxes, is part of that push. The question here I think is about execution, not the utility of this strategy. Seems like they are making some very odd mistakes - because of lack of focus, or perhaps trouble keeping the OEMs happy?
- mitchty 14y agoI don't see Microsoft succeeding until they bite the bullet and make their own laptops/desktops/etc... like Apple. They're imitating Apples veneer and not the underlying reason its appealing.
- gokhan 14y agoThere's no other way to survive against Apple. Android is doing pretty well without a dedicated store.
- corporalagumbo 14y agoI was referring to the need for brand power, not the store specifically. Android has indeed developed brand power, but Microsoft's situation and needs are different from Android and I think a store is an absolute must. Android has successfully created a story that people like about power and choice in your pocket, and good on Google and the OEMs for that. But Microsoft is a much, much bigger entity than Android, and they have a proportionally grander and more ambitious vision (or need to have such a vision or are trying to develop such a vision) about technology, a vision they want to bring to people through a much more complex and heavily integrated suite of technology and services. And one of the best ways to do this is through a polished, exciting store experience (not sure if Microsoft is quite managing that, but hopefully the situation should improve.) Microsoft's imperative is to distill its sprawling empire into something sleek and powerful. Android's imperative, should it choose to accept it, is to expand on its successful foundation intelligently without diluting or confusing the story it tells. Totally opposite problems IMO.
- wsc981 14y agoI can only imagine Microsoft is using the stores to raise brand awareness, just like Apple is. But I do find this weird in a way, I mean Microsoft has like 90% of the consumer market (at least here in Europe). Everyone and their mother has used some products of Microsoft in their lives, while the same can not be said for Apple products. Microsoft apparently also feels the need to raise brand awareness on Windows, as the brand Windows is one of the main sponsors of MTV's Europe Music Awards 2012.