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.