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Microsoft's Windows 8 TV commercials kick off

Microsoft has launched its first Windows 8 TV commercials, with less than two weeks to go until commercial availability and the official product launch.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

On October 14, Microsoft began airing its first television commercials for its Windows 8 operating system.

A short post on the Microsoft Windows Team Blog acknowledged the start of the ad campaign.

The commercials are expected to be prominently featured during the Sunday National Football League games broadcast on TV here. No word from the Softies as to where else they are being shown.

Microsoft is launching Windows 8 in New York City on October 25. Sales of PCs from Microsoft and other vendors preloaded with Windows 8 and Windows RT begin on October 26.

Microsoft's Windows ad agency of record, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, is also behind the new ads.

Microsoft officials have declined to comment on the size of the marketing and advertising budget the company has allocated to push Windows 8 and the coming Microsoft Surface PCs/tablets running Windows 8 and Windows RT.

What's interesting about today's first ads are they are focused solely on Windows 8 PCs and the Windows 8 Metro interface. The ads do not show off the Surfaces, Xbox or Windows Phone, all of which have launches/updates coming in the next couple of weeks, as well.

After watching this new spot a couple of times, I have to say I like it a lot more than last year's family-focused campaign for Windows 7, Windows Phone, Xbox/Kinect and other Microsoft products.

What's your first impression?

 

 

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