Microsoft's new plans

[CoffeeShark]

Summed up from ZDNet with my added commentary:

1. Advertising - you've seen the first (odd) commercial, there are many to come. A different take on the Microsoft world, focusing on more than just Windows, but on the connected life (something MS has been pushing for years).

2. Personal Assistance - Microsoft will put "gurus" (see: geniuses) in Best Buys and other computer retailers to explain how people can use the Microsoft world to create this connected life.

3. Technical Assistance - Easier and more friendly tech assistance online. Check out windows.com to see their approach. Again, the connected world comes into play. Everything is about sharing, connecting, making things easier.

4. Specialized PCs - after the Vista launch debacle, which took Vista problems, added them to a huge lack of 3rd party drivers, and alienated customers, Microsoft decided to create what is likely going to be an "optimum" style setup, possibly branded jointly or by sticker, where a perfect user experience could be expected. Lots of unknowns here.

Side Note: Ray Ozzie will head up a new "Startup Labs" group with an emphasis on consumer products.


I think it's a good way to go, emphasizing the connected life, instead of just pushing Vista or hitting against Apple, which would be swimming against the tide anyway. By showing the different platforms of Windows and how they can all work together, Microsoft can show consumers why they should buy their products.

For a long time, Microsoft has had a lot of good products that COULD work together, if you took the time to put it together - from Home Server to HTPC to Mobile to Laptop, from home theater to online picture/video sharing, blogging, etc. More advanced users could link up their entire homes with various pieces of software and hardware. But none of it was obvious, or easy, or published, unless you went to look for it.

Comments welcome. Can it work? Will it work? Will the next commercial make sense?

[Bojingles]

Sounds like a step in the right direction.

[dcikra]

Quote:

2. Personal Assistance - Microsoft will put "gurus" (see: geniuses) in Best Buys and other computer retailers to explain how people can use the Microsoft world to create this connected life.

geeksquad dropouts*

[BuddhistSoldier]

This could work... all competition is good.

[NoobToast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcikra

geeksquad dropouts*

probably

[Craig]

look, MS has the resources to BE the company they want to be. they just need to focus, hire the right people who aren't tied into the old-school MS ways and let them run the show.

they will never be hip, especially hipper than Google or Apple. But they could very well be a highly respected company in the marketplace if they would lift some of the clamps and let ideas flow from both their own side of the fence and the consumer/user side.

[DennyCrane]

Focus is the right word. I think they lost the drive they had early on as a company. Back when Bill was totally hands on.
~
And that commercial... a big WTF.

~
Edit... was that dude cashing Gates out.... Dick Butkus?

[Craig]

I agree... that commercial stinks. But, we're all talking about it so...

[DennyCrane]

I don't think it stinks, it's just a weird piece that leaves the viewer puzzled. And a lil' disturbed. I think everyone who sees it will be at least somewhat intrigued. I call genius on this kind of marketing. It's not new. Remember this little bit of horror from about 10 years ago?

Not until the very end do you realize it's a Levis commercial.
Now compare it to the Microsoft commercial. Only at the very end do you have any hint of what's going on. Absolutely, people will pay attention to the next commercial to learn more. Remember, this whole campaign is a direct Return Fire to respond (albeit kinda late) to Apples "I'm a Mac/I'm a PC" series. MS is going to try to shed the stodgy frumpy old school business-type company.
So, Jerry's there, being quirky, Bill's odd, too. There's something behind the curtains that will revolutionize... something... and we're all going to be trying to anticipate exactly what it is.
Genius.

[No-Fear]

I love what Microsoft is trying to do