With tomorrow’s opening of Canada’s first Microsoft store at Yorkdale Mall, you could say that we are one step closer to living in the tech-oriented society envisioned in flicks like Back To The Future 2. Apple of course has always been an innovator, but when the software and hardware provider of the masses (i.e. Microsoft) opens up shop and starts pushing their ultra-inclusive ‘all-in-one’ Xbox integrated touch screen monitor computer systems, it’s time to take note, the seas are changing.
Behold! A 6,800 square-feet of slick Microsoft and Windows 8 wonder. The entire shop is lined wall-to-wall with LCD panels that mimic the tiles from the new operating system, shifting, blinking, and refreshing with hip and friendly scenes that have something for everyone, from christmas baubles, to gardening projects, and the compulsory half-pipe and skateboard scene. I wonder when the breakdancing montage is coming out…. But what really hooked me is that staff can sync phones to the panels to coach customers on how to use the apps or just demonstrate general functionality.
It will be interesting to see what level of customer service is available at the shop. The store managers and Microsoft rep insisted that all staff will be well versed in all aspects of Microsoft culture and software from Excel 2013 to Halo 4 to trouble shooting Microsoft Office for Mac, but when I asked an orange-shirted staff guy polishing up the sales counter if he could tell me anything about bootcamping Windows 8 on my Macbook, he told me he’d have to check with a technician… Hmm, so I guess they aren’t all ‘geniuses’.
Aside from that, Microsoft is really trying hard to become an all inclusive lifestyle brand with collaborations like the TFC and FIFA controllers. I’m not sure why they went with pink (was it to match with a Microsoft colour scheme ?), I fear the pink might just fuel the fire for the TFC haters, and confuse their fans.
The Microsoft store opens officially this weekend with a free outdoor concert by the San Franciscan Grammy-winning mellow pop/rock band Train whose “Hey, Soul Sister” song has found it’s place in thousands of retail play lists. Oh and they will also have THE GREAT ONE, Wayne Gretzky, in the house, playing Kinect Hockey with some lucky, lucky fans. Will The Microsoft store take off? We’ll have to wait and see…. which leads to the next post…… Yorkdale Apple Store Relocates Two Stores Down From Microsoft!
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