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Microsoft
Debuts microsoftSF Retail Environment At San Francisco's Metreon Sony
Entertainment Center
SAN FRANCISCO - June 16, 1999 - Microsoft
Corp. today unveiled microsoftSF, an interactive, hands-on retail
environment in which people of all ages, from all walks of life and at
all levels of technological expertise can explore the benefits
technology can bring them. Far more than just another computer store,
microsoftSF is a showcase for the latest technology from Microsoft and
the hardware and software companies with which it collaborates. The
facility opened here at Metreon, the new Sony Entertainment Center in
San Francisco, a first-of-its-kind destination with 15 movie theaters,
including San Francisco's first SONY IMAX Theatre, attractions,
restaurants and shops covering 350,000 square feet on four floors.
Microsoft has developed microsoftSF in consultation
with its retail channel partners and will use the site as a laboratory
to develop retailing solutions that can be shared with those channel
partners. The space is owned and operated by Sony Retail Entertainment
(SRE).
"We are delighted to be able to showcase in
this one-of-a-kind retail environment the entire range of Microsoft®
software and hardware, as well as the technology of other companies
who share the vision of how the PC and the Internet can empower people
any time, anywhere," said Microsoft President Steve Ballmer.
"San Francisco and the Silicon Valley are home to the world's
largest and one of the most sophisticated high-tech audiences, so this
was the natural place to create this site - dedicated to showing, in
an interactive environment, the way technology can enhance our
working, learning, living and playing."
"Metreon offers a place to indulge your
imagination. At microsoftSF you can do just that," said Kari
Novatney, vice president and general manager, Metreon. "Not only
is microsoftSF a key part of the world's most exciting urban
entertainment center, but Windows NT®-based software is
used throughout."
Comprehensive Offerings, Products From Many Vendors,
12 Lifestyle Areas
In its 8,500 square feet of space, microsoftSF
offers more than 160 Microsoft software and hardware products, nearly
every current Microsoft Press® publication, and more than
90 items of apparel, desk accessories, office supplies and other items
with the microsoftSF logo.
It also offers software and hardware from more than
30 companies, including Casio Computer Company Ltd., Hewlett-Packard
Co., Lernout & Hauspie, Mattel Inc., Peachtree Software Inc.,
Philips Electronics North America Corp., Symantec Corp., The Learning
Co. and Sony Entertainment.
microsoftSF is organized into 12 "lifestyle
areas" that create a real-life look and feel to the merchandising
and a fun and informative place for people to shop for technology
products. Each lifestyle area incorporates the latest multimedia
technologies in state-of-the-art displays, featuring glass screens
suspended over 6-foot-wide "event islands" that use
rear-projected video to demonstrate the technology solutions in
action.
Working Lifestyle Areas
Working lifestyle areas include the following:
Living Lifestyle Areas
Living lifestyle areas include the following:
Learning and Playing Round Out Lifestyle Areas
The Learning lifestyle area at microsoftSF comprises
two sections:
The Playing area allows visitors to experiment in
several ways:
A Powerful Infrastructure
To make all this possible, microsoftSF deploys
Microsoft Windows and more than 100,000 feet of copper cable, 60 Sony
PCs, 18 laptop docking stations, four dual-processor servers powered
by Hewlett-Packard Net Servers, a Cisco Systems network, and an array
of hidden audio speakers that create 16 individually controlled sound
zones.
"We originally met Sony and got excited about
the project when we began working with them to architect the entire
building with Microsoft Windows NT, everything from ticketing machines
and point-of-sale devices to multiplayer games," said Lily Kanter,
business manager, microsoftSF.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT")
is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The
company offers a wide range of products and services for business and
personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and
more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows NT, Microsoft Press, Windows,
MSN, WebTV Network, ActiMates and Encarta are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries.
Barney is a trademark of the Lyons Partnership LLC.
Teletubbies and the distinct likeness thereof TM
& © 1999 Ragdoll Productions (UK) Ltd. Licensed by The itsy bitsy
Entertainment Company. All rights reserved.
Scholastic, The Magic School Bus and associated
designs and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Scholastic Inc.
Other product and company names herein may be
trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors:If you
are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please
visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/
on Microsoft's corporate information pages.
Customers at the new "microsoftSF" retail
environment explored the world of interactive technology first-hand as
the high-tech store opened its doors at Sony's Metreon in San
Francisco on June 16. The flagship store showcases the full line of
Microsoft software and hardware products and features 12 lifestyle
areas that show people how they can use technology for working,
living, learning and playing. Contact info: Nikki Wiebe, Waggener
Edstrom (425) 637-9097 or nikkiw@wagged.com.
Microsoft president, Steve Ballmer, experiences
first-hand the "Road Warrior" section of the new "microsoftSF"
retail environment in San Francisco. The high-tech store, unveiled
June 16, features 12 lifestyle areas showing people how they can use
technology for working, living, learning and playing. Contact info:
Nikki Wiebe, Waggener Edstrom (425) 637-9097 or nikkiw@wagged.com. |
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