Microsoft might open a store on New York's Fifth Avenue, five blocks away from Apple's glass cube

posted by Peter K. / Aug 07, 2014, 5:59 AM

Microsoft might open a store on New York's Fifth Avenue, five blocks away from Apple's glass cube

Microsoft is pretty far away from Apple in terms of mobile device shipments and market share (and we bet that things won't change anytime soon), but it appears that Redmond might be trying to get closer to Cupertino in a more physical fashion. A recent report claims that Microsoft might be prepping its first New York-based retail store. It is speculated that it will be situated in a two-story building on 677 5th Ave., which is just five blocks away from Apple's well-known cubical glass store.

At the moment, the store is occupied by Fendi, an Italian fashion house, and its usable area stands at 8,700 square feet. At the moment, the average rent price on Fifth Avenue is roughly $3,500 per square foot.

This is not surprising at all, because Microsoft usually places its brick and mortar locations pretty close to Apple's ones. Redmond has some 50 stores across the states, but none of them is situated in New York and Manhattan in particular. Up until now, the giant relied on temporary pop-up stores, which had been dismantled right after they've fulfilled their promotional purposes. However, a permanent store that will showcase the company's Lumia smartphones and Surface tablets will probably help Redmond increase its popularity.

source: NY Daily News via Neowin

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38 Comments

1. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

First provide all apps on WP Store.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:09 AM 5

2. LetsBeHonest

Posts: 1548; Member since: Jun 04, 2013

GAMES!!! Just games... Most Apps are there

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:17 AM 6

8. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

None of the banks I deal with are there.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 7:22 AM 1

17. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Many of the major banks like Ally, Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo etc are there etc and besides with WP live Tiles all you do is pin a bank to the homescreen and you have access just like the app. Bank related apps like Mint etc are there as well. WP have many bank apps.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 8:55 AM 4

29. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

There are few but many are missing. I deal with Santander, Lloyds and Amex non of which are there (not everyone lives in 'murica). I looked up Standard Chartered for my sis which isn't there either. I am also a big fan of VSCO cam which is also missing. Even the ones which are there have poor ratings e.g. Halifax. If answer to every app gap question is pinning to homescreen then why did MS create app store in the first place. A browser is not as good as an actual app. It consumes a lot more data because it needs to download images unlike app and it doesn't even save preferences. http://www.phonearena.com/news/How-close-is-Windows-Phone-to-closing-the-app-gap_id50817

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:25 AM 0

14. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Well I'm not trying to troll exactly. But apps are still missing. There are many apps which I use daily would never make it to WP like Greenify, tasker, timely, Google apps, multitasking, dashclock, talon, poweramp/apollo, swype,etc. just to name a few. While some of the above apps won't work on WP due to restrictions, but my point is the app gap is still there and wide enough.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 7:50 AM 1

15. LetsBeHonest

Posts: 1548; Member since: Jun 04, 2013

Honestly all my favourite apps were there but games collections is poor. But you are correct some apps also missing like google apps, some media player and few others. But i often find alternatives (i wouldn't say they are better but good). But games collection were pretty headache nothing arrive on time to never.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 8:14 AM 2

18. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

There are apps on iOS thats not Android and vice versa, there are apps and games on WP thats not on iOS or Android and vice versa like the very cool Joblens that lets you see jobs available around you in augumented reality even exclusives games like Halo Spartan or Space ex shooter etc as well as other cool Nokia apps etc.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 9:08 AM 3

21. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Which WP apps exactly are not available on android and ios except disqus and those fake clone apps?

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 9:32 AM 0

32. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Foundbite, Song arc, Sophie lens hd, track runner, office lens etc are just some of them.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:57 AM 2

24. NokiaFTW

Posts: 2072; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

The apps you're naming aren't exactly apps, they are more of widgets or specific Android function's apps. And blame entirely Google for no Google brandbranded apps in the WP store.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 9:43 AM 2

25. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Huh, besides Dashclock all others are real apps. Talk sensible bro. And regarding Google apps, true its a Google fault but its more of a rivalry between Microsoft and Google, which I believe M$ ignited first by that stupid Scroogle campaign.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 9:49 AM 1

31. michaelmicro unregistered

You need to go and demand answers from Google as to why they aren't making apps for Windows Phone. Alternatively, look for services from a company who are prepared to make them available across all platforms. This is why I use Outlook for my email, calendar and contacts as soon as Google removed EAS. Personally

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:39 AM 1

33. meanestgenius

Posts: 21353; Member since: May 28, 2014

Just want to make a few points here about your statement: There are apps that are still missing on WP compared to Android. However, I would think that one that purchased a WinPhone has done so to use Microsofts services, not Googles services. I, for one, do not use Google services at all. I much prefer MSFT's services to Googles. Multitasking is not an app, it's a function inside implemented in the OS, but I believe you know that already. Swype is no longer necessary to have on a WinPhone due to them having their own implementation now with WP8.1, and I must say that it works great! Especially since it's available throughout the OS and all apps.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:02 PM 1

34. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Dude what microsoft services? They are available on android too. I use Outlook for work but my personal mail is gmail. Whoever made this BS that "it is a windows phone so there should be only microsoft services" is a liar who makes excuses. Multitasking is a feature I know, but there is an app that makes app float like facebook chatheads, imagine a floating calculator, floating note taking or voice recorder. It is extremely useful. WP keyboard maybe great but you know I'm very much used to and addicted to swype. Its so smooth and fast that I can't switch to another.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:14 PM 0

35. meanestgenius

Posts: 21353; Member since: May 28, 2014

So you're telling me MS DOESN'T have services? That would not be true. Simply because MS has made it available for other platforms doesn't mean they don't have services. That's smart business. Get your stuff on competing products to draw others into your ecosystem. I NEVER SAID that "just because it's a WP so there should only be Microsofts services". If you're implying that I said that, you should read what I typed again. I AGREED With your point about multitasking. Android has better multitasking than WinPhone, hands down. I simply pointed out that multitasking is not an APP. The "floating" app only makes the multitasking more efficient, it isn't multitasking in itself. The WP keyboard is great. You should try it and compare it to Swype for yourself before rendering judgment.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 1:38 PM 2

4. NokiaFTW

Posts: 2072; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

ALL popular apps for WP? CHECK. All popular games for WP? Not quite. The WP store has all of the most popular apps on other platforms. Popular games are also present, but quite a few are missing.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:41 AM 3

7. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

That "quite a few are missing" is bothering me.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:48 AM 1

22. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

What does that avatar mean? Android hiding behind Windows logo? :D

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 9:33 AM 1

26. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

Just liked that avatar. BTW it means give up Windows Phone and go Android as per below article. http://www.androidauthority.com/microsoft-windows-phone-android-412924/

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:02 AM 1

38. michaelmicro unregistered

We want the smartphone market to be more competitive, not less competitive by having everyone using exactly the same OS. The market is already stale enough because of the use of Android.

posted on Aug 09, 2014, 6:34 AM 0

10. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Also any new releases & updates cycle are also very poor on WP. Hardly, any newly released games or app first land on WP along with iOS and Android. Only after few months if the app/game is successful it might be released on WP. Even the updates of apps on WP are slow to come.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 7:25 AM 2

3. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Microsoft device shipment worldwide and that includes OEM are at around 14%, Apple is at 11%, Google around 48%..

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:23 AM 4

5. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

Pretty well from Apple, considering that it's a high-end brand.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:47 AM 2

6. Rocksteady unregistered

After trying WP8.1 myself, apple's got nothing to worry about. I couldn't be happier. (I'm using both Android and WP). Good luck Microsoft.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:48 AM 3

9. NokiaFTW

Posts: 2072; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

Yes being behind WP in more than 25 markets, which will drive future growth is nothing to be worried off.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 7:22 AM 2

16. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

But at the expense of selling only loss making phones and not the flagship is something to be worried off. http://www.phonearena.com/news/Over-25-of-the-WP-world-runs-on-Nokias-Lumia-520-Lumia-1020-is-nowhere-in-sight_id49776

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 8:37 AM 1

19. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Considering the fact the iOS Innsbruck UI takes many designing ques from WP UI i guess you can make that case though many will disagree with you and say iOS Icons are still associated with the past and Live Tiles are the future etc. To each his own.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 9:12 AM 3

27. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

^wordflow typo WTF does Innsbruck mean? and ques?