With last week's Microsoft store opening in Scottsdale Arizona and another in Mission Viejo on the way, we decided to take a look at the PC giant's latest moves and how, this time, they're following in Apple's footsteps.
Retail Revenue
Apple's success in the retail world is evident from the size of its growing coffers, and there's no doubt in our mind that Microsoft thought they could cash in on the trend. By providing their own store, Microsoft can control their user experience and ensure a good time: after all, how much fun is it to buy a computer in a Best Buy? Happy customers spend more money, and if Microsoft gets these stores right, they could have a nice buzz from word of mouth and more people coming in to learn about and experience their products; their new "Signature PCs" in particular should raise the company's stock on their own.
Following the Leader
Luckily, Microsoft has a great model to follow in preparation for these momentous openings: Apple. They've "borrowed" quite a bit from the run-away success of their competitor, including (but not limited to!) store layout, product displays, concert areas, bar areas for questions and setup...and, apparently, Apple employees. Reports have surfaced of employee poaching, especially in management positions, and while this might be business as usual in retail it still leaves a bad taste in our mouths. Though the employees are one of the most important parts of the retail experience, we'd like to suggest that it's Apple's products that give it annual revenue of over four thousand bucks per square foot, not its Geniuses.
Changes for Apple
Of course, with all these changes from a competitor, Apple has had to make some moves as well. The most obvious is the eschewing of cash registers...credit transactions are completed with hand held computers by store employees, so leave that stack of hundreds at home to aid in the streamlining of your shopping experience. You can still pay in cash, of course, but let your employee show off everything the iPod touch can do from scanning your item to charging your card...the novelty is worth it!
What's the difference, then, aside from the products? Kevin Turner, COO of Microsoft, said this:
“We’re not looking for an encounter, we’re looking for a deep-seeded relationship so we can truly connect with their needs and help illuminate the magic of software and the value of the technology.”
Will they be able to do it? Only time will tell.
Fifth Avenue Store image courtesy of Apple.
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iPad Costs
iSuppli Corp., which generally waits until it can actually get the new Apple product to estimate its production cost, has decided to forgo hands on examination in the case of the iPad. They have--from just looking at it, it's amazing--decided the base model only costs $219.35 for Apple to produce. According to AppleInsider the base model won't make Apple anywhere near as much profit as the 32 GB model with 3G wireless priced at $729...that one reportedly costs only $287.15 to produce.
That's some profit! No wonder Apple execs have said they'd stay nimble on pricing! With demand for the iPad under scrutiny and this week's news that the "Take Picture" hint was removed from the Address Book app in the iPad simulator even we are starting to wonder if it's not worth waiting for the 2nd generation.
Trust us, it's painful to say.
Google Challenges the Internet
"Think Big" indeed. This time, Google is setting its sights on the very way we transmit information and asking people from around the country to nominate their city or state to be included in an ultra-high speed open internet network of Google's building. Set to include anywhere from 50,000 to 500,000 people, this network will boast 1GB per second fiber optic connections that Google reps are hoping will bolster developer creativity, test new ways to build the infrastructure and challenge internet service providers to band together to create a better internet instead of shunning change to maintain their bottom lines.
This is huge news, and we hope our city is on the receiving end of the new interwebs...here's the official Google Blog if you want to read it all in detail or submit your community.
Dogs on Twitter
From the country that's given us karate and karaoke comes the newest iPhone app: that's right, Japan's Index Corp. has announced the release of "Bowlingual," the dog emotion translator. Latest in a long line of technological advances, this app (to be released this summer) analyzes Fido's bark and puts it into one of six categories, like "needy." Or "happy." Then it adds a caption based on the emotion and allows you to snap a photo of your pooch in its current mood; as if that weren't enough it can modify that photo to enlarge your pet's eyes...oh...so cute.
Seriously, the app is set to sell for $5 and will post your pet's barks to Twitter. Silly? Yes. Fun? Probably!!
Will you let your dog speak his mind? Tell us here.
