Imitating excellence: Microsoft on Apple attack
From the “Imitation is flattery” department yet more news from Microsoft HQ out there in Redmond...looks like the company - flushed with success (?) at it’s anti-Apple ads campaign now plans to open up its own chain of computer retail stores.
We know how Microsoft rolls, don’t we? Apple makes a desktop UI, Microsoft makes WIndows; Apple ships an iPod, Microsoft does a Zune; Apple opens a shop, and ‘me too’ Microsoft wants one of its own.
So, these new shops are going to be placed near Apple shops, according to Microsoft’s chief operating officer, Kevin Turner. Just goes to prove that innovation’s at the heart of the company... Turner shared the news at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference event this week. ‘Course, Microsoft’s only going to do this to boost its brand and enhance its marketing, it’ll still be selling crappy Windows, after all.
The company’s even hired in former Wal-Mart man, David Porter, who is now corporate vice president of retail stores. A Microsoft spokesperson told ZDNet, "As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple. We are on track to open stores in the fall timeframe".
Speaking of innovation, Microsoft also admitted Apple wanted its recent series of Apple-besmirching ‘Laptop Hunter’ ads pulled. On these ads, Turner said: “You know why I know they're working? Because two weeks ago we got a call from the Apple legal department saying, hey - this is a true story - saying, "Hey, you need to stop running those ads, we lowered our prices.”
Apple, of course, lopped $100 off its computer prices, but that’s not enough for Microsoft, which - as the DOJ oversight over the company’s monopolistic business practices times out - now plans to keep running Apple down. “We're just going to keep running them and running them and running them,” Turner admits.
So there it is - a huge company with the majority share of the world’s operating systems plans to directly and aggressively attack its smaller - but more innovative - competitor.
As opposed to applying innovation or bringing any value to consumers.
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Comments (28)
Yea Microsoft, hit on Apple and go make more IE 8 warm vomit ads !
That picture is beyond disturbing. It's rather disgusting. Also, has MS not learned from the past in regards to retail stores? Dell, Gateway, etc etc all had stores. All are closed. There might be some Dell kiosks somewhere but that's about it. Yeah, lets open up retail stores during this wonderful economy where people buy their computers ONLINE. Another BAD decision.
Wow - that's quite the editorial there, Jonny.
I think it would behoove 9to5mac to stick to rumormongering rather than editorializing on fanboy stuff such as this. Yes - we all like the Mac, and Apple, and the i(pod/phone), but this is business. What did you exactly expect MS to do, roll over and let Jobs have his way with them with sawdust and vaseline?
MS has seen their dominance in the marketplace as well as their mindshare seriously wane. Apple is a very noisy threat, and Google is this quiet gorilla in the corner that keeps walking over, pushing them out of the way and taking food off their plate seemingly whenever they want to.
High noon has passed for Microsoft... and they see the writing on the wall that they are themselves becoming obsolete but refuse to fade away without a fight. At least their founder is doing some good with the mass of wealth he has gained. Frankly, Jobs really could stand to learn a thing or two there.
I say we let this old horse go out to pasture, and let's stay focused on where the bus that all of us are riding is taking us.
Ok - I've spouted enough... I have to go set up an Xserve.
So let me get this straight M$ wants to hurt the one company it imitates the most
WHAT THE HELL WOULD M$ DO IF APPLE WAS NO MORE, THEY WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO WHIPE THERE OWN ARSES WITHOUT A DETAILED DIAGRAM
Whipe?
They still have Linux
Look at Windows 7's interface. it's a rip off from KDE 4 (KDE 4 had been in bet for some time, when the first screenshots of Windows 7 hit the net)
Microsoft sells mostly software. Apple sells mostly hardware. If anyone is going to care that Microsoft is near an Apple store, Microsoft are going to have to sell hardware. Microsoft won't make the hardware. They are going to sell other people's hardware. As AbSoluTc mentioned above, Apple seems to be the only company to set up near-exclusive retail hardware stores and succeeded. I don't think Microsoft have the ability to make that work.
So, if they are just selling Windows, Office, and Zunes, who cares how close it is to an Apple store, unless Apple happens to be out of Mac Office and you wanted to run down to the Microsoft store to grab a copy? They aren't exactly competing with Apple as far as core "competency" goes. This is no worse than having a drug store next to a grocery store.
This is competition. Get used to it.
Apple has seen this with the iPod, iPhone and app store.
I hope Apple shifts the way of interacting with the computer to a more flexible and intuitive interface.
It is time to leave the desktop behind. The computer still scares users and is still too reactive rather than proactive.
The desktop is a depiction of an office that mostly died out 10 yrs ago. We need an interface that sorts the data and interaction by context. It should be a proactive partner rather than just a depository for data.
I dream of a day where Apple and Microsoft can coexist.
Why cant Apple just ship dual-booting laptops/computers... they make much more off their hardware than their software. This way Microsoft could take the stick out of their ass and realize the benefits of a peaceful relationship.
Sure, the HARDCORE fanboys will be up in arms, but the majority of users will applaud the idea.
Apple sells leopard for what, 120? and they are selling a snow lepoard upgrade for $10!!
Software is not a priority to Apple, where software is everything at Microsoft.
ALL FOR PRE-CONFIGURED DUAL BOOTING MACS SAY I...
Apple does ship dual booting macs, you just need to go buy the inferior Windows operating system if you want it so bad. And software isn't a priority for Apple? Software is what sets the Mac apart from windows and makes Apple the leader in innovation it is today. All the benefits of the mac come from Apple's operating system (their main software). Without Apple's software the Mac, iPod, and iPhone would be nothing but pretty well designed boxes running a crap operating system. It is Apple's intuitive and easy to use software (mostly their OS) and their pro apps that allow just about anyone to sit infront of one and easily learn how to use it, as well as let serious pros create entire movies from hollywood off a Mac Pro. Software is everything to Microsoft so let them stick with that failing idea that they depend on too many companies to make the boxes for their software. Macs are configured for dual boot, go buy windows and use bootcamp if you want to seriously limit your machine, no way in hell is apple going to pre ship with windows already installed when apple has the superior option.
Why would Apple legal call to complain about an ad that is so vague, he's making it up for propaganda purposes and everyone repeating it like lemmings...
I'd love to see these MS store, have them spend tons of money to sell pretty much nothing. Well, maybe they'll sell some, but as a brand awareness stunt, it seems very expensive.
The window displays should be rather entertaining. Woulb be funny if the product sold most at these Microsoft Stores were Office for Mac.
So if working at Disneyland requires that you must be clean shaven, and in an Apple Store, you have to just simply have to look "cool", will dress-code in Microsoft store be, "sweaty with BO" ??! ;)
I am wondering how it would actually work? The Beauty of teh Apple store is More than the Sales, its the Genius bar and excellent staff that knows the products. a MS store will sell what? Sony's and Dells etc.. and have afew people there to help out but what about the inevitable "Its broke I have a Warranty so take this and fix it" that you do with Apple? No matter Where you are or who you bought it from if its warranted any store will do. I cannot see this happening simply because people wouldn't need it.
I am wondering how it would actually work? The Beauty of teh Apple store is More than the Sales, its the Genius bar and excellent staff that knows the products. a MS store will sell what? Sony's and Dells etc.. and have afew people there to help out but what about the inevitable "Its broke I have a Warranty so take this and fix it" that you do with Apple? No matter Where you are or who you bought it from if its warranted any store will do. I cannot see this happening simply because people wouldn't need it.
I have been an Apple fan since many many years, have had 3 newtons and tons of laptops and macs, still have( 4 right now).
but lets face it, Apple started with this stuff, talking bad about Windows to make themselves look better, its the worse policy. and now Windows is doing it to them!
so lets see this objectively, like in Politics, do we really need to speak bad about someone else to make ourselves look better, sell better?
especially with a good, amazing product like Apple this is just attracting bad karma Steve, hope you learn something out of this!
r
Raphael, your comment makes too much sense. Mudslinging never makes the slinger look good. Leave it to politics. And yes Apple did ask for it. Windows has never been 'cool'. It is redundant to point it out. Pointing out MS weaknesses is asking for them to point out yours. Glass Houses. Peace out
Microsoft makes the most overrated software on the planet. Whether one talks about Word, Excel, Vista, Windows 7, or what have you as being better than Apple, it really makes me want to give him or her the finger. With Ballmer at the helm, things are getting even worse, especially if they think they can kill Apple. I bet anyone that Microsoft will one day be a bankrupt company due to this self-destructive mentality.
It actually works well for Apple if the MS store is "next door". It allows people to compare Apples to Lemons (couldn't resist)
You missed one opportunity for another anti-parallel between MS and Apple.
Graphical Interface -- Windows
Apple iPod -- Zune
Stores inspired by Gap -- Microsoft hires Walmart exec
Think of the difference between The Gap and a Walmart for retail experience.
Jim
You missed one opportunity for another anti-parallel between MS and Apple.
Graphical Interface -- Windows
Apple iPod -- Zune
Stores inspired by Gap -- Microsoft hires Walmart exec
Think of the difference between The Gap and a Walmart for retail experience.
Jim
I get glass for window, he get glass for window.
i get clock radio- he can't afford clock radio!
"So there it is - a huge company with the majority share of the world’s operating systems plans to directly and aggressively attack its smaller - but more innovative - competitor."
Though I think Apple has a better product, I don't think Apple can play the "Underdog" card anymore. They've become known for building a giant (iTunes + iPod) and aggressively attacking the smaller competitors. And let's face it: Some of those competitors are far more innovative.
MicroSHIT, MicroSHIT won't you die away
No cares
I kid you not
No surprise for a failing flop
Beats me what they're going to sell in a Microsoft shop, so lets see one Zune and 8 to 10 different coloured boxes with software that doesn't work all that well..... Maybe they're going to have kiosks style vending rather than real shops, you could get all their products on one small kiosk, it would save them money on retail space, Microsoft doesn't make the big bucks it use to....
Mice and keyboards too!
Looking forward to the YouTube videos!
I am afraid, if microsoft start creating their own hardware market esp. with the NATAL at affordable prices.... you guys are all gone from this website...
Let's see who wins this cat-dog chase