First look at the Microsoft Store at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The new Microsoft Store opens tomorrow at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto and not only is it the first flagship Microsoft Store in Toronto, it is also Microsoft's first International store outside the 30-odd stores it has in the US.

Focusing on users and solutions, the store will be staffed by 70 sales associates and product experts catering to various lines. Expect to see solutions for the small business, education as well as prominent areas for Windows 8 software and devices, Windows Phone and XBox gaming.

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First Canadian Microsoft Store to open in Yorkdale Mall on November 16

We've just received confirmation that the first Canadian Microsoft Store in the Yorkdale Mall in Toronto is set to open on November 16th. This is one month after Windows 8 is expected to launch but early for the holiday buying season. More information can be found in the Microsoft Store webpage, the Microsoft Facebook Page or Twitter. 

Google Play Gift Cards in $10 and $25 appear, signify evolution of an ecosystem

Photo from Androidcentral.com

Google's Play Store is the hub to buy apps, music, movies, books and even smartphones and tablets. The evolution of the virtual store sees the next level of its evolution by now offering gift cards.

These cards will likely be sold in popular retailers alongside similar gift cards from iTunes, Facebook, Zynga, Sony and others. Androidcentral.com was able to nab some legit looking photos of the $10 and $25 cards with the Google Play log and branding.

Source: Androidcentral

First Canadian Microsoft Store to open in Yorkdale Mall

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

(Updated) Canadians will be able to buy their Surface Tablets  this Fall in the first Microsoft Retail Store outside of the US.

Microsoft COO Kevin Turner confirmed today from the Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto that the Microsoft Store will be coming soon to the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ontario. This is exciting news indeed since there are only 20 Microsoft Retail Stores and all of them are in the US.

Concept for the Microsoft Store by Lipincott brand strategy and design consultants

This is the first international store for Microsoft and  it will be a 6,845-square-foot store that will employ at least 50 new employees. It will be the perfect venue for consumers to get direct info on Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, XBox as well as purchase "hero' PCs that offer the pure Microsoft experience (i.e. no bloatware).  

Update on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 12:53PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Just got off the phone with Tedd Ladd from Microsoft who was able to give some more information about the Microsoft Store coming this fall.

-While there are currently 20 Microsoft Stores right now, the Yorkdale Store will be the 31st when it opens 'in the Fall.' (I think in time for Windows 8's launch). The first Microsoft Store opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2009.

-Ladd said the stores are incredibly visual with a large video wall. Families will be able to play Kinect on one side of the store and there will be a dedicated Windows Phone section as well where you can pit your smartphone against a Windows Phone in the "Smoked by Windows Phone challenge."

- Canada will see its first Microsoft Siganture PCs, which are highly tuned and specialized PC's that don't have any bloatware and are designed to take full advantage of Windows.

- Ladd says there will be a huge selection of products for every price point. Everything from high-end gaming desktops to budget notebooks as well as the requisite Microsoft Mice, Keyboards and other devices.

- They picked Toronto and Yorkdale in particular because of the high concentration of techies as well a families. Families and the community are a big thing for Microsoft as they see the stores becoming a community hub.  Microsoft will run some charity and donations to the community via the store.

- What I gathered is that this store will be one of many,  although it is special because it is the first International Microsoft Store so it will be a model for all International stores that follow