Discussion on:

(Inside Microsoft's retail store (photos))

NO

...every automaker after Henry Ford for building cars. In your world, we would all drive Fords with no other choices.

You have to admit that this is an exact copy of an Apple Store, right down to the Genius Bar.

Can you give me that?

This type of outlet is not new. This actually goes back to the days of the Atari, Commodore and Radio Shack computer stores. So now has Apple ever had an 'original' idea?
They have taken what already exists and remodeled it. They are very good at doing that.

The comment above holds true, Apple HAS done a lot of copying in its day, however it's undeniable that its enhancements seem to hit the mark much better than its predecessors.
In my opinion is the difficult-to-work-for dictator S. Jobs that is the genius behind this success.

Such as?

Apple didn't invent the smart phone either.

Nobody has done anything original that can't be traced back to the ancient Greeks.

I'll give you a little lesson in creativity:

Creativity is the process of taking existing elements and assembling them in a new and different way.

Assignment: Read "How To Get Ideas" by Jack Foster

The only difference between the Apple and the MS store is that Apple sells computers.

The Apple store must be very effective or MS wouldn't copy it.

There are two models of product design, both good, both equally valid.

You either take the high risk strategy of innovation, which often misses the mark despite the best efforts of marketing departments across the country. Or you wait until someone does all the hard work, finds the new markets and nieches and then create your own product to fulfil them. There is often two major disadvantages to this; being first means for a while no competition thus a boost to sales. Secondly, there is an established player that is synonymous with the market which is a barrier to entry for others.

Neither approach is worse. It always amuses me to see people pro Mac, there success lines Ms's pockets anyway as Ms own's 25% of Apple!

XMLHTTPRequest, the free web browser, directx, an unrestricted development platform, giving away your dev tools, the list goes on?

...but it seems like there is a lot of empty space. Not that they need to cram every square inch like the local Walmart, but there does seem to be quite a bit of wasted square footage, particularly towards the front (don't see what would attract Joe Random to walk on in).

On the flip side, the software-on-demand is a really intelligent feature. Something like this for game consoles would be a real boon during the holiday shopping season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaIUkwPybtM&feature=related

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Nuff said.

Imitation Is the sincerest form of flattery, but.........

I have a million things to do and what am I going?

Arguing about the originality or lack of in the MS store.

God help me.