MICROSOFT POP-UP KIOSK WILL HAVE XBOX, HALO 4, WINDOWS 8 IN ADDITION TO SURFACE TABLET, MICROSOFT EMPLOYEE SAYS - EXCLUSIVE!

BETHESDA KIOSK

NOW MANNED

AND TAKING

SURFACE PREORDERS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Breaking news, direct from a Microsoft employee:  Contrary to mass media reports, and in defiance of the space limitations at Microsoft's pop-up kiosks, the kiosks won't just be featuring the Surface tablet on October 26.

Microsoft pop-up kiosk at Westfield
Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Friday

The employee said that shoppers can expect to not only see Windows 8 at the temporary mall structures, but XBOX and Master Chief, as well.

That's right, Halo 4 will be out November 6, and the employee promised a big marketing push from Microsoft.  And one part of that will be the game's appearance at the kiosks.

One disappointing note:  it does not sound like Westfield Montgomery will be having a midnight opening on October 26 for the Surface launch.  The employee said the kiosk would open at 10 AM.  Boo!

Let's hope that is not true.

In conclusion, while there was much muttering and disappointment over the pop-ups being tiny kiosks, instead of actual stores, it would seem the mall stands will be offering an array of Microsoft products in spite of their small size.

MICROSOFT SURFACE KIOSK UNVEILED AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL [PHOTOS] - BETHESDA MICROSOFT POP-UP SHOP OPENS OCTOBER 26!

IT'S A MICROSOFT KIOSK,

NOT A STORE

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

The highly-anticipated Microsoft Pop-up Store has been unveiled at Bethesda's Westfield Montgomery Mall.  As it stands now, the Pop-up shop is actually a cellphone/cosmetics-style kiosk.  But it is in one of the most heavily-trafficked, central floor spaces in the mall.

Bethesda Microsoft Surface Kiosk

True to rumors, the Microsoft Kiosk is not far from the mall's Apple Store, enticing potential Surface tablet buyers to test the machine head-to-head against the iPad.

While I'm excited to try out the Surface - and we all knew that's what this was about, anyway - it's disappointing that there does not seem to be enough space to display the Kinect, Windows 8, or the new Windows phones.  The theming, as you can tell from these photos, is all about the Surface.

The kiosk opens October 26, so in the meantime, enjoy what may be the first photos of a Microsoft Pop-up Kiosk in our region.

MICROSOFT POP-UP STORE OPENING OCTOBER 26 IN BETHESDA

My prediction that the Bethesda Microsoft Pop-up store would open on October 26 has been vindicated.  The store will indeed open that day, Microsoft announced yesterday, the same day the company's much-anticipated Surface tablet goes on sale.

Microsoft's pop-up store will be located at Westfield Montgomery Mall through the holiday season.

MICROSOFT POP-UP STORE TO OPEN IN BETHESDA FOR HOLIDAYS

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY

ONE OF 32 NATIONWIDE

LOCATIONS TO PUMP UP

AMERICA FOR

SURFACE RT TABLET

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Microsoft announced yesterday that it will open a holiday Microsoft Pop-up Store in Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery Mall.  The company did not say when the store will open, but my suggestion would be October 26.

Microsoft Store yesterday at Tyson's Corner

Why October 26?  That's when Microsoft's intriguing Surface RT tablet will be released, and the inside word is that the Surface is the raison d'etre for the pop-up stores.  Given that you will only be able to buy a Surface from a Microsoft Store, it's only sensible that the company would flesh out its spartan retail network nationwide for the tablet's launch.

At a rumored price of $199, the 32 GB Surface will be a formidable match for the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire.  While many assumed the tablet wars would produce a winner named Apple or Google, Amazon has changed the narrative in the last 12 months.  People are justified to be skeptical of Microsoft seriously threatening Apple in the gadget department (Zune, anyone?).  But the Surface Pro and RT models have generated substantial buzz this summer, buzz that became almost deafening when the $199 price rumor "leaked" four weeks ago.

Do you want a Surface?

Most will have to try one before they can answer that question.

Microsoft's Bethesda pop-up store is designed to let you do just that.