Microsoft is close to opening retail stores in several major cities across the planet, but in Paris they’re doing something special in anticipation of the real shops and the imminent launch of the Windows 7 operating system. Microsoft France has surprised inhabitants and visitors of the French capital with the public preparation of a genuine coffee shop / cafe situated in the heart of the city (47 Boulevard Sebastopol).
The Windows Cafe, which will only be open to the public for a couple of weeks starting October 22nd, will boast a number of Microsoft products that visitors can play around with (Xbox, mobile devices and more) but they will not be able to purchase anything there besides snacks and drinks.
I’m dying to know what these will be called, though. Will we be able to sip a Bing Cappuccino? Devour A Windows Live Fruit Cocktail? Or have a taste of Blackberry Pie Service Pack 2?
My guess is as good as yours.
At least there will be free Wi-Fi for sure, since the writing on the window reads: “The Windows Cafe will open its doors on October 22. Don’t hesitate to browse the web on the sidewalk in the meantime.”
Bon appétit!
(Hat tips to AccessOWeb and ViacomIT for the tip / pics)
It’s called a cafe, but it’s really a store. Anyhow, nice idea.
Since you can’t buy any products there (yet) besides snacks and drinks, I think it’s closer to a cafe than a store at this point
Supposedly patrons will actually be able catch a virus from the food and beverages..
(sorry couldn’t resist… There’s got to be a million Microsoft jokes that can be made about this café)
Garçon, there is a bug in my soup !
++LOL
It’s a café… you could drink some cofee/chocolate and to test all présent/futur Microsoft products… Stay tuned.
As if Windows 7 will be a gathering point for people to meet and be all cosy and al l!!?? I doubt it.
The have also made a “how to create your own Windows 7 home party”
http://www.yout...X4t5-YpHQ&f
Come on Microsoft, thats just embarrassing!!
I think it is good marketing strategy… Thanks to you, I am applying to host a party!
lol, ridiculous
The buzz is apparently working, since you are reporting on it…
I’m going to hazard a guess that you *won’t* be able to buy Blackberry or Apple pie. Just guessing.
I hope it is a virus free.And people dont stuck & get sick like Windows.
Please change your name. Your stupidity is an embarrassment to the rest of us Marks.
Thank you.
ahhahahaha Go Mark!! or Mark?
That sounds cool. I wonder if it will stay open after the release?
May be they will release Cafe SP1 and SP2 as usual.Ans sometime a security patch.
http://maps.goo...=14&iwloc=A
Street View
They are trying so hard. It’s sad, really.
You’re right. They should just continue to let Apple run all those adverts focusing on Windows perceived weaknesses and not do anything at all.
You can probably scratch Marketing off your career choices.
I always wondered why the Apple Store wasn’t serving coffee for waiting customers. Their stores look like bleached up versions of Starbucks anyway.
Becuase its cool…may be…
LOL. It is conveniently located, that’s true, but that stretch of the blvd de Sébastopol is hardly the chic-est part of town.
A little “café” open for a few weeks is nothing compared to buzz and anticipation generated by the imminent opening of two Apple Stores at much nicer locations (in the Louvre + Opéra).
I imagine both blackberry and apples will be very much OFF the menu!
I hope they don’t serve Crème Bluescreen of Death Brûlée.
They achieved what they want: buzz!!! A nice job! Congratulations!
I wonder how long until the jeunes banlieusards who hang out at nearby Les Halles trash the place.
Hopefully within a few hours.
Oh no !
I can’t believe ‘Wet Willies’ closed down :
http://maps.goo...=14&iwloc=A
Sounds interesting, I’ll stop by !
The opening line sounds funny…. “Microsoft is ‘close’ to opening…”!
I guess english isn’t your strong point…
I’m working on behalf of Microsoft to promote the Imagine Cup, a student tech competition that works to promote the use of technology to help improve the world. We’re looking for gamers, designers, programmers, developers, engineers, photographers, film makers…anyone with a keen mind and the insight to push technology to help their fellow man. Want to know more about Imagine Cup? Visit http://www.imaginecup.us for more information.
Along with this, we’ve got some awesome things to giveaway from Microsoft.
We’ve got a bunch of copies of Halo ODST to give away starting this coming Friday. If you’re interested in a chance to win, follow us on Twitter (http://www.twit...om/imaginecupus)
Past that, we’ve got a $10,000 prize to give away (as well as trips to Washington, D.C. and Poland for the 2010 Imagine Cup) just for registering. You don’t even have to compete in the Imagine Cup! To register for a chance to win Halo ODST, $10,000, or the trips visit http://tr.im/zmQD (Imagine Cup site).
Thanks and good luck! Hope to see some of you in Poland next year.
-Greg
ctrl-alt-delete Cafe?
Well, I just wonder if the cappucino-machines are equiped with blue screens of death!
‘Well, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait for your cafe au lait a little longer than suspected. Our coffee machine is rebooting from an security patch update’.
I would love to just walk in there and be like “Hey. I need some help programming my Zune…HA! Just kidding I have an iPod like the rest of the world!”
Ideas de Micrisoft en tiempos de crisis.
Such a cafe would be really nice. Great idea.