Microsoft to open retail stores - again

With endeavors like the Xbox Live Marketplace and Zune Marketplace, Microsoft has been cutting out the retail middleman for years. However, the Xbox 360 maker’s latest initiative goes a bit further, cutting the retail middleman out of the retail experience. Microsoft today announced that it will be launching its own chain of stores “to transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience.” In particular, the company mentioned a desire to better articulate and demonstrate the advantages of its products. Additionally, Microsoft hopes “to create deeper engagement with consumers and continue to learn firsthand about what they want and how they buy.” - From Game Spot

Microsoft earlier this week revealed plans to open several Microsoft branded retail outlets and hired a 25-year Wal-Mart veteran to oversee the effort. One could almost hear the peals of laughter from Apple fans and open source aficionados as they contemplated the software giant’s foray into the gnashing teeth of the retail world. But this actually won’t be Microsoft’s first retail rodeo: In 1999, Microsoft opened microsoftSF, an 8,500-square-foot retail space in San Francisco’s Metreon shopping center, located about a block from where Apple’s insanely busy San Francisco store is currently situated. - From Channel Web

Microsoft earlier this week celebrated its 10,000th patent. Implicit in that announcement is the supposition that “patents = innovation.” However, a quick look at Microsoft’s last five years demonstrate a company that is struggling to copycat the best the industry has to offer, rather than innovate. Take, for example, Microsoft’s decision to open retail stores. Never mind the fact that most technology companies have failed to successfully launch retail outlets, as CNET’s Charles Cooper reminds us, and never mind that Microsoft’s primary products like Windows 7 are likely to come pre-bundled with new computers, not bought separately at retail, as ZDNet’s Sam Diaz writes. No, the real problem with the retail stores is that they demonstrate a continued lack of creativity and innovation at Microsoft. Don’t believe me? Well, how about these products that broke new ground in innovation? - From CNET