Will Microsoft Be Giving Away Free Stuff @ The First Microsoft Store Opening?

This week, not only will Windows 7 be released, the very first Microsoft store will be opened in Scottsdale, Arizona. (I really wonder why it is opening ahead of the one in California – there are more people who would show up to a grand opening from Orange County than reside in the entire state of Arizona!)

I certainly hope that someone from a popular geek publication is dispatched to Scottsdale to cover this, as I am very interested in seeing what will take up the space in the store. (Those who read here regularly know how much I tend to like Microsoft hardware products.)

Perhaps it will be someone from PCWorld, as they are talking about it already -

With Windows 7 launching on Thursday, Microsoft already has a busy week ahead, but the company may add even more to its plate by opening its first retail store on the same day as its new operating system.

Microsoft has said officially only that the Microsoft Store will open in the fall, but as with any good tech rumor, the evidence is quickly thwarting the company’s attempts at secrecy. Engadget has ads from the Arizona Republic newspaper hyping a grand opening at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona, at 10 a.m. on October 22 (the same day Windows 7 debuts). To create an Apple Store-like hysteria, Microsoft is reportedly giving away gift bags to the first 1000 visitors. In the early evening, pop singer Ashley Tisdale will perform.

Gift bags? Mice? Unopened copies of Microsoft Money? Ashley Tisdale? Is she really a part of that Venn diagram of the intersection of Microsoft customer and music lover?

The Wall Street Journal reports that a subtler approach is in order, with Microsoft “planning to quietly take the wraps off” the store “on or within days of the launch of the new operating system,” according to an unnamed source.

So, why all the secrecy on Microsoft’s end? I’d think the company would want all the buzz it can get this week, especially with Apple running an aggressive ad campaign to steal the spotlight.

It might be because, like many tech watchers, Microsoft’s not really sure how this whole retail store idea’s going to pan out. Last week, Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer said the plan is to “open a couple of stores, try to improve, open a couple more stores.” Sure, Microsoft may be mimicking the Apple Store in aesthetics, and even reportedly hiring away some employees, but it’s not duplicating Apple’s cockiness.

As I said, I like Microsoft hardware. It tends to be high quality and fills a place otherwise not filled. However, can Microsoft keep the excitement up with the limited hardware they now have? (much of what is found for sale at many places is merely left over stuff that has already been discontinued – I doubt that Microsoft wants to make this an outlet store from the start)

Still, Microsoft needs a big bang with its first retail store, and it needs to happen on Windows 7 launch day. Even though only one location is set to open, the resulting buzz will point not just to the operating system itself, but to all the new computers running it. And that’s really the whole point of the store in the first place.

There are only so many ways you can stack up different colors of Zunes, to make an interesting display, and I’m not sure that many will wander into a Microsoft store on the thought of looking at a Zune of any color or variety.

As far as I am concerned, this should be a place that people go to get first hand answers to questions about the operating systems, the office products, and to try out the mice and keyboards before buying. This would make a great place to debut the Microsoft touch screen LCDs that no doubt it will market soon.

Perhaps those first 1000 can snag a pack of Windows 7 playing cards, like the ones that come with the Launch Party kit.

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T-shirts are always cool as a giveaway!

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