Microsoft Stores: The Next Sony Style Sob Story?

On Friday, Gizmodo posted a leaked slideshow detailing design proposals for Microsoft's answer to the hugely popular Apple Stores. The prototype Microsoft Store features wall-to-wall displays, counters with netbooks and laptops, and an "answers bar." I could go for the obvious commentary and talk about how obnoxious it is that Microsoft copies EVERYTHING that Apple does, from it's operating systems to it's retail outlets, but instead I'm going to focus on something more positive, which is what appears to be a revolution in how we learn about and purchase products. This move appears to be a step away from the typical big box stores where you're relentlessly hounded by know-nothing sales persons (as if they actually worked on commission). Instead, these stores are moving toward a more friendly try-before-you-buy atmosphere, with the added advantage of service and support tables where you can go to get help after your purchase. As a filmmaker, I'm constantly finding that my lack of exposure to new products makes me very apprehensive about purchasing or making recommendations to others. The obvious solution is a hands-on environment where I can go to try out the newest technologies.

One of the coolest new technologies to be featured at the Microsoft store is the new Surface interactive table, which is now available in some Sheraton hotels and resorts. Other demos will include Windows 7, Windows Media Center, and Xbox.

Some of you might think this strategy sounds familiar, and in fact, it is. Prior to Apple's success story, some other retailers have tried this approach and failed. Gateway tried this strategy and eventually had to close their retail stores (about 5 years ago). Many people are familiar with the Sony Style stores, whose flagship retail outlet was located in a Sony-owned building, the Metreon, in San Francisco. It closed earlier this year.

My friends know that I'm not a huge fan of Microsoft, but I really want them to succeed in this venture--I think it's a step toward a familiar past, where merchants had better personal interaction with their patrons, and vice versa.

Will Chrome OS Make Computers "Better?"

In a blog post yesterday, Google announced another operating system targeted for netbooks. From the post: "We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. " The announcement seems to indicate a strong push toward cloud computing, although, interestingly, Google doesn't actually use that term in the post. Google cites viruses, malware, and the tendency for computers to become slower over time, as reasons to move toward a simpler operating system. My experience with the Google services have been superior in nearly every respect, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what these new "netbooks" are capable of. I've also been waiting, as have many of my readers, for the fabled G-Drive, and this could be the ideal time to roll it out. In the meantime, I've been getting along very well with Dropbox, which is installed on all of my computers and iPhone.

Apple has had Mobile Me since the iPhone's release, and according to a ZDNet blog post, Microsoft has been working behind closed doors on an online-only operating system since Windows XP. ZDNet writes, "The XP stood for 'experience' and was part of Microsoft’s .NET Web services strategy at the time. The master plan was to get users and businesses to pay a yearly subscription fee for the Windows experience — XP would essentially be the on-going product name but would include all software upgrades and updates, as long as you paid for your subscription."

So, my question is twofold: Is this a win for computer users? If so, how will Microsoft compete?