“At least some shoppers have accused Microsoft of rigging its retail ‘Smoked by Windows Phone’ tests to favor itself,” Electronista reports. “At its retail stores, Microsoft not only has to award a $1,000 HP ultrabook if it loses [a contest between an iPhone or an Android phone] but may have to give up one or more potential customers. The contest still offers a Windows Phone free on contract if the shopper loses.”
“One incident marked by a SkatterTech writer saw him legitimately handle a Microsoft Store test faster than a Windows Phone on his Galaxy Nexus by showing the weather for two different cities, for which he happened to already have two widgets,” Electronista reports. “Despite this and having already used a official feature that disables the lock screen, retail staff insisted that the Windows Phone had won despite taking longer… When pressed, Microsoft Store staff reportedly used thin reasoning to justify its position, arguing that they had won “just because” and inventing a condition requiring that the cities be in different states.””
Electronista reports, “More serious accusations have followed with commentary on the story at Reddit. Microsoft was alleged to be deliberately throttling Wi-Fi speeds for non-Windows Phone devices attached to its store network.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Microsoft. Cheating is in our DNA.
Just another example of the Microsoft “Wow” in progress.
When M$ has smoke in the title of an event, expect it to be blown up your a$$!
Mostly smoke, and mirrors, “pay no attention to that gassy Ballmer T. Clown behind the curtain.”. Microsoft: Shootin’ with blanks since the 1970’s.
What?! I’m aghast! How could they? Couldn’t be!
Wait. This is Micro$oft, right?
Oh. Never mind… 😉
Of course MS always wins. Losing the laptop is going to cost them real money; getting someone to use a WinPhone improves their lame adoption numbers.
Just how can we publicize this to a greater audience? Can we get this on The Daily Show? Kimmel?
Seriously, do you think a contest where they have to give away a $1000 product is going to be fair? Imagine if everyone with an iPhone could beat it? They’d be out $1M each and every day as 1000 iPhone users show them their exhaust.
1st Prize – a $1000 HP ultrabook
2nd Prize – two $1000 HP ultrabooks
I’m shocked! Shocked!
“I’m shocked, shocked! to find gambling going on in here!” – Claude Rains, 1943.
Here’s your winnings sir
this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Aj.
SkatterTech writers and others should learn to read the fine print. From the “Smoked by Windows Phone” official rules:
“Rules subject to change without notice.”
There is no change to the rules. Rule #1 clearly states: 1. The Windows phone shall always win. Rule #2. When the Windows phone loses; see rule #1. 🙂
Oh well who cares, nobody is buying any of their lousy phones anyway. They’re still running well behind even beleaguered RIMM for heaven’s sake. Microsoft makes a lot more money off of patent royalties from Android sales than they will ever see from WP.
I love how Apple products sell themselves, without creating competitions or blind surveys (do you like OS A or OS B?) a la M$. What is this, the Pepsi challenge? And also, they don’t need to advertise other products, a la Samsung (“You guys are so dumb for standing in that line. Can’t you see my next best thing 5” monstrosity?!?)
I did love the “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” ads. I loved how they visually conceptualized the PC. All of us Windows sufferers struggled with all of those issues — viruses, BSOD, Vista security, tripping on the power cord and breaking your laptop… Those were brilliant, and they were used at a time when Microsoft dominated, and most people were ignorant of the usability of the Mac in contrast.
At least the pepsi Challenge was a blind taste test, conducted according to accepted practice for such tests.
Microsoft cheating?
This is news?
Dear MacDailyNews,
The spherical dots behind the registered names aren’t so spherical on a retina display.
In other news, people oblivious to Microsoft’s manipulation of test results, ask, “Never mind it’s free, sonny, does is run iPad apps?”
Uhh… No…
“Okay, never mind. I am going to get an iPad.”
To which point the MS sales associate, bites his pinky finger, “That $(#$& Apple!!!”
MS rigged a contest? No way. They are the most honest guys in the business. Really! 😉
yeah they are, thats why they still won’t admit to stealing windows from apple in the first place
Every time I think Microsoft has covered it all and can’t possibly come up with any more ways of looking stupid and/or slimy and shooting themselves in the foot, whaddya know!? They come up with something new! And the truly wondrous thing is the PACE they keep going at with this sort of stuff!
You have a good point. We can never run out of material from Microsoft to laugh about or shake our heads in disbelief! MS is a true innovator when it comes to stupidity! lol
Those shoppers should know better and go the Apple store next time …
Has Microsoft pulled something new here?
NO. SOS. The usual.
If you can’t compete: Cheat.
I went to this challenge in Houston Galleria yesterday and was caused of cheating when I clearly beat sales rep.