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Archive for the 'Microsoft store' Tag

Are Microsoft Store employees channeling the Wiggles?

November 19th, 2009, 11:30 am by

With this post, Gadgetress welcomes Eugene Garcia, an OC Register photographer and videographer extraodinaire. He’ll be sharing favorite viral videos, plus video tips and tricks with readers. If you have any you want share with him, contact him at egarcia@ocregister.com.

If this was an audition tape for So You Think You Can Dance, I doubt they’ll be going to Vegas.  Because the judges haven’t been kind. It’s been called “lame.” And even… “creepy.”

If you haven’t already seen the Microsoft Store employees cutting the rug in Mission Viejo, then check it out:

YouTube Preview Image

The store’s shoppers seem a little perplexed with the PC guys. But their grooves are getting MAZEL TOV! from the viewers. It’s garnered nearly half a million clicks on Youtube in a couple of days.

the-wiggles-picTake that – all you emo Apple Store employees!

But “I gotta feeling” about the PC’s resemblance to an earlier group. You know, the one that tore up the Disney Channel a few years back:

(The Wiggles in their prime.)

TAKE THE POLL:

What would you tell the Microsoft Store dancers?
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Posted in: Videos • • • • • | 22 Comments »

What does a PC guy think about the new Microsoft store?

October 29th, 2009, 4:22 pm by
Ed Schwartz, Stump the PC Club contributor

Hi, I'm Ed

Gadgetress’ weekly Stump the PC Club answer guy Ed Schwartz ventured into the crowded new Microsoft store that opened in Mission Viejo today. We already know what Apple fanatics think about the store and we saw that many of the folks in line overnight were just waiting for the free rock concert (watch the opening video).

Now, Schwartz, he’s a loyal PC guy. I was curious to know what he thought about the store. He’s not anti-Apple, by the way. He admits to venturing inside the Apple store occasionally to see what’s new

Schwartz stopped by the large, bright store around 11:30 a.m. today because, “Oh, curiosity. That’s my thing. I just want to know what’s going on,” he said.

Plus, he said, any store’s first day is likely to be full staffed. He immediately went to find help to get some readers’ Windows 7 questions answered. This is where he learned the difference between the blue shirts and the red shirts. If you have a tech question, ask someone wearing a red shirt.

“It took me three employees before I found one who could confirm some Windows 7 questions. They all had blue shirts until I got to the guy with the red shirt,” he said.

Microsoft opens first store in Mission Viejo. Photo by Ed SchwartzApparently, the red shirts work in the back and help out when tech questions get too hard.

Schwartz couldn’t help but compare the Microsoft store with the Apple store, starting with the shirts. There’s also Microsoft’s Answer Desk, which is very similar to Apple’s Genius Bar. Anyone can bring in their Zune or other Microsoft-related device and get help. There are also free lessons and there are special one-on-one sessions where for $99, you can get one hour of face time with a Microsoft expert every week for one year (that’s the same price as Apple’s One To One sessions).

He spotted laptops from HP, Dell and Lenovo, but that’s it. There were netbooks from Asus, Samsung and others, and all-in-one PCs from Sony. But what about Fujitsu, the brand he uses? Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Computers • news • • • • • | 35 Comments »

Who is in line at the Microsoft Store?

October 28th, 2009, 11:47 pm by

Who's in line for the new Mission Viejo Microsoft store?

For the couple hundred people camped out in the parking lot at the Shops at Mission Viejo for the opening of California’s first Microsoft Store, the question isn’t Apple or Microsoft. The real question is: Microsoft or Justin Bieber?

As early as 3:45 p.m. Wednesday people began lining up for the grand opening of the store, only the second one in the nation, which opens at 10 a.m. Thursday.  Lines are expected to swell to over 1,500 people.

Lured by tickets to a parking lot gig by Bieber, a Canadian tween pop sensation, kids and their parents are huddled in lawn chairs and blankets, trying their best to stay warm.

“I have a 15-year-old daughter who is a die-hard fan of Justin Bieber,” said Stefanie Tran, an Aliso Viejo mom gadgetresssmallwho is camping out for daughter Nicolette. “We’re here for her … but I’ve heard about Windows 7 so I’m kind of excited about that. I want to see how it is.”

Not everyone is here for the show. Navid Zamani, of Laguna Niguel, will wait through the night with the hope that the Microsoft Store will stand toe-to-toe with the Apple Store.

“I’m just happy that they’re finally standing up against Mac. I’m surprised it took them so long to figure out that the Apple Store is the key to their success, to a degree,” he said.

There are advantages to coming early. Patrons including Kevin Pamittan, of Lake Forest, were already rewarded by Microsoft for their efforts.

Pamittan, pictured at top, recieved a Microsoft Zune HD for answering a simple Microsoft-related question. Employees also came to the line with a wheelbarrow full of free copies of Windows 7.

“It makes it worth while, coming out here. Not only just to see the store, but getting all this free stuff will make me a Microsoft fan even longer,” he said. ”I appreciate that they gave out Windows 7 because it shows their appreciation for people who are dedicated and spent the night.”

For information about opening day giveaways and the story behind the store, read the Register’s story about the Microsoft Store in Mission Viejo.

Follow the link to view a slide show showing who is in line a the Microsoft Store and what they had to say about the wait.

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Brightcove video.

Posted in: news • • • | 41 Comments »

Microsoft Store debuts Thursday

October 28th, 2009, 2:04 pm by

gadgmicr

Microsoft Corp. will open it’s first California retail store, and only second location in the nation, on Thursday at the Shops at Mission Viejo. Register blogger and reporter Niyaz Pirani has the scoop about the Microsoft Store opening here.

Don’t forget to check back here tonight, around 11 p.m., to see who’s already waiting in line for tomorrow’s event.

Posted in: news • • | Comments Off

Microsoft’s first O.C. store opens Thursday — will you be there?

October 27th, 2009, 11:59 am by

Microsoft plans to open second-ever store in Mission Viejo.Microsoft is taking a stab at selling its own software and toys directly to consumers. In a store. In Mission Viejo.

This will be the company’s second store nationwide. The first opened last week in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Our Mission Viejo reporter Niyaz Pirani is covering Microsoft’s attempt at brick-and-mortar retail. It’ll be the first to go head-to-head with an Apple store at The Shops at Mission Viejo. Here are some of Niyaz’s past stories.

Niyaz plans to camp out with everyone Wednesday night and blog about his experience right here.

Will the new Mission Viejo local store be as popular as the Arizona one? According to one report, “hundreds of people who waited as long as 12 hours,” showed up for the opening last week. Those folks appeared to be eying the goodie bags and free entertainment  a la pop singer Ashley Tisdale. Some words to describe the new store: “Really cool,” “about time,” “really cool” again, and “one last shot” for Microsoft.

Here are lots of photos of the new Arizona store from Destructoid.com.

As for the new one in Mission Viejo? Who out there will be going on day one? Let us know because we want to interview you! Leave a comment below or e-mail thegadgetress@ocregister.com.

Posted in: news • • • • | 16 Comments »

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