Windows, Sony and Apple... Oh my

[Mac.World]

Just happened to be driving around Cupertino and Stanford yesterday, so checked out the mall next to Stanford University Medical Center. Very nice mall with all the high end fashion named stores that my wife knows and I'm clueless about.

But, they did have a Sony store, Apple Store and a Microsoft Store. The Sony and Microsoft stores were huge in comparison to the tiny amount of space the Apple store had. It was actually the smallest one I have ever been in. That said, guess which store was the busiest at 1pm on a Wednesday?

And yes, the Sony and Microsoft stores look similar to Apple's with the hardwood floors, tables spread out across the floor with product displays and so forth. What I thought was classic, was the fact that a lot of Sony's products weren't on! I couldn't look at them to see how they functioned. And the 6 sales people that worked there (and we were the only 2 people in a 6000 sq ft store) couldn't turn any of them on! They looked like the Nano watch, but no idea what the display looked like or if they required a Sony phone to function. Most of their phones were locked to a set video as well, so couldn't see the UI in action. Kinda disappointing. First Sony store I have ever been to, so not sure if that is common?
The Microsoft Store had everything up and functioning and I had another chance to play with a Nokia Lumia 900. I previously thought the outside shell was aluminum, but this one felt like plastic to me? Not sure. But the OS was fast. Have to wait and see WP8 though. I just don't think I could stand looking at big brightly colored square blocks on a home screen all the time.

On to some pics. One looks like the other, however one is selling products, the other is not. There is also something wrong with the Mac store. Can you spot it?

 

[Mac.World]

And a pic of the outside of the Microsoft Store. It is pretty big.

 

[zbarvian]

Wow, that Apple Store is relatively tiny. I was at a Sony store in Vegas once, also a huge disappointment. Apple, in my opinion, has a great retail experience. The Microsoft store looks really nice too, I'm glad they're pushing all their new, innovative products. They really need to change the reputation they've incurred.

And I'm with you on the windows phone front. I like it's speed and elegance, but I'm dubious on its UI design. It's text and squares, really. No gradients, drop-shadows, textures, nothing. It would probably get boring REALLY quickly.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I like it's speed and elegance, but I'm dubious on its UI design. It's text and squares, really. No gradients, drop-shadows, textures, nothing. It would probably get boring REALLY quickly.

My god. I actually agree with a point made by zbarvian...

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Wow that's a small apple store.

Having said that, there's a few things you need to remember:

1. Smaller stores will look busier because the same number of people are crammed into a smaller space
2. Apple stores are also repair depots. The last time I was in my local Apple store, it was crowded, but 1/2 of the people were waiting for support

 

[SurferMan]

Wow that's a small apple store.

Having said that, there's a few things you need to remember:

1. Smaller stores will look busier because the same number of people are crammed into a smaller space
2. Apple stores are also repair depots. The last time I was in my local Apple store, it was crowded, but 1/2 of the people were waiting for support

That's pretty much my experience, last few times the Apple store was packed ridiculously and it was mainly for everyone waiting for their turn to speak with the repair/service "Genius". Last time was just nutz, my gf's iPod was literally just out of warranty, like 2 weeks or so, and sound just stopped or would come on and pop between left and right headphones. Told us it'll be 20 minutes, ok... 35 min... 50 minutes later, over an hour later and finally I'm like what the hell. I left her there and came back and we were finally next close to 2 hours later. She wanted to see if they would fix it since it was literally just out of warranty, and I had already googled how to fix it, but thats a woman for you lol. They wouldn't budge on the warranty, and can't remember what they wanted to charge to fix it but I remember thinking that's nutz you may as well buy a new one lol. I got the parts online and did it myself for a fraction of what they wanted to charge to replace the jack, think I spent 20 bucks or something like that.

Our store is much bigger than that one though, especially wider. You can always see a large group of people sorta in the front center area where it's open just standing there waiting for service. It could be 9am on a weekday or 9pm and it's packed. Holidays forget it, walk by and it's like going out to a bar where you can barely get to the bar to get a drink b/c it's shoulder to shoulder lol.

We have a big Sony store too in the mall, but haven't gone in there for whatever reason. I don't think we have any Microsoft stores, at least that I know of.

 

[Mac.World]

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention why I have no pics of the Sony store. Because it was too damn dark inside. I guess they want the movie theater experience for all the tv's they had in there? Microsoft's and Apple's stores were very bright, welcoming and open. Sony's, not at all. But because it was hot outside it did feel good to stay in there. So Sony had that going for it.

 

[irDigital0l]

The Sony store I went to was closing... (had about 7 people)

The Microsoft was new and was next to the Apple store (it was funny because I noticed the new logo before Microsoft announced), anyways it had about 20 people...

the Apple store easily had double that...it was packed to the gills.

 

[ixodes]

In a high end outdoor shopping plaza like Stanford, it's the Apple snob appeal that also works in their favor.

Let's face it, as a brand Apple is up their with the Polo Store, Ralph Lauren, and others. Not to mention Tiffany's.

There are very deep pockets amongst the Stanford crowd and it's all on display there.

 

[Mac.World]

In a high end outdoor shopping plaza like Stanford, it's the Apple snob appeal that also works in their favor.

Let's face it, as a brand Apple is up their with the Polo Store, Ralph Lauren, and others. Not to mention Tiffany's.

There are very deep pockets amongst the Stanford crowd and it's all on display there.

Very true. This also happened to be there. First Fisher car I have seen in person. Very cool electric car.

I hope that solar panel roofs start becoming a standard for all cars, because a roof panel like that could charge a small battery designed just to run the AC, heat, wipers and infotainment center. Could really bump up fuel efficient ency on regular gas cars.

Anyway, this is probably a $100 car. Very sweet! BTW, stock rim size is a massive 22".

 

[Prototypical]

And a pic of the outside of the Microsoft Store. It is pretty big.

I hate being THAT guy, but the similarity in store design (at least exterior) is just silly. Changing from "aluminum" to glass" and swapping logos doesn't make it look any less like an Apple store... although maybe that was the idea.