Microsoft copying Apple a bit too much
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At first it was copying the OS X interface look with Vista, then it was copying the OS X dock by placing a version of it in the new “Super Bar” in Windows 7 and copying the way OS X handles wireless connections through an easy to use drop down menu in the task bar. They tried copying the way the iPod and iTunes store worked together with the Microsoft Zune player and its locked in music store. Now they are looking at opening up retail stores to hi-light Microsoft computers and devices - which Apple has done with great success. While the improvements in Windows 7 are welcome additions as it makes computing easier for everyone, this move towards closed solutions where a single company controls the entire experience from the store to the home is a strange move for the company. For one, the move towards a closed Zune store that ignored the PlaysForSure branded hardware and music store was a strange solution that not even Microsoft could explain, but the decision to create Microsoft branded retail stores is beyond strange. For one thing, Microsoft products are on display at every store that sells electronics from Radio Shack to Wal-Mart, there is really no need to have yet another store that sells the same products that you can buy everywhere else. Apple created a retail presence because there were relatively few stores that carried a wide range of Apple products and software for the Macintosh operating system. The Apple store addressed a need, a Microsoft store does not. The only two reasons that I can think of for this move is that they either do not want to be held hostage by Best Buy - the last remaining large retailer of electronics, or they are looking to create a better brand experience by stocking and displaying only computers that are free of shovel-ware and junk-ware that tend to sour the experience of Windows. Either way, it is a troubling development for computer and software retailers as it indicates that Microsoft is not happy with the PC ecosystem at this point and feel that they can do a better job. They are even going to have in-store “Gurus” much the same way that Apple has their “Geniuses” - Geek Squad beware.
7 Comments
Paul_Bennett
February 13th, 2009
at 11:58pm
EEP!
Justin H
February 14th, 2009
at 12:58am
I disagree with you saying that they “copying too much”. This “copying” is everywhere with companies. From clothes design to technology, it is not uncommon from companies to take features of another product and use them/improve them for their own product. For example look at Rock Band. They almost totally copied Guitar Hero with a few improvements. You also talk as if Apple developed their OS completely on their own without any features of past operating systems and Windows. It just seems to me that the article is slightly biased. I don’t deny that Microsoft may be using some of the features of Mac OSX, but really…so what. I think it is a great idea to give people who use Windows a chance to experience newer and better features than past versions. If you ask me I think it might not even be a bad idea to have Microsoft store where one can find Microsoft products that they may need. Maybe they will actually sell computers that are actually decent and not prebuilt junk that you find at most retail stores…. - J
Maysen
February 14th, 2009
at 2:30am
Yes i think they are coping them Because they both got the task bar. When mac had that the hole time! So yes i think they coped them!!
O
Joshua
February 14th, 2009
at 6:29am
hey
i totally disagree with this “Copying” thing… i think copying what the others company do and improving it and making it more competitive is a part of every organistation…. even apple would have copied from windows… and u saying that “microsoft copied too much from Mac” may be they did it but copying is a part of this business
gbaxbox360
February 14th, 2009
at 9:57am
Microsoft has copied things from Apple and I’m sure apple has copied form other company’s too but I really don’t care who had an idea first as long as it improves a product. To me having Microsoft stores seems like a good idea. I like the idea of having a store for all Apple products and a separate store for Microsoft products.
Anjum
February 15th, 2009
at 8:51am
I Don’t Care So Much. Microsoft Copy Other People. And Apple Did ! No Seriously They Copied A Small Bit Of IBM. In Fact All Computer Manufactures Did ! … I Mean Seriously, Look At Your Keyboard. See That Prt Scrn Button Thing. From IBM ! This Was Made In The 70’s It Used To Print The Screen When Touched. But Today All It Does Is Copies The Screen To Clipboard. It Does That Cause It Is Out Of Date. But You See It Is So Famous They Have Not Removed It. This Is One Of The Features, Ther Are Tonnes Of Others. So Really Let Windows Copy. But Not So Much That They Take There Logo And All That Stuff.
JmactheAttack
February 16th, 2009
at 1:11pm
Who cares if where the idea came from, honestly isn’t adaptation good? Really in the end the consumer is the beneficiary of it.