Intel Has Big Plans for 'Experience' Kiosks in Best Buy Stores

Intel (INTC) has opened a dedicated “Intel Experience” area in a Best Buy (BBY) store in Oregon as part of a larger plan to operate in 50 of the big box retailer’s locations in 25 states by the end of this month.

The kick-off Best Buy kiosk, located within a Clackamas, Oregon, outlet, aims to provide “tech enthusiasts to technophobes” with a “hands-on experience” to check out the chip maker’s technology in action in 3-D printing, gaming an augmented reality and digital disc jockey remixing, the company said.

Intel’s Best Buy move follows earlier, similar tactics by Microsoft (MSFT) and Samsung to expand their contact with customers in an in-store retail setting.

Playing off of data from an internal study it conducted with researcher Toluna indicating some 79 percent of Americans want to know more about new technology but lack access, Intel said it will equip its Best Buy spaces with trained reps to engage with customers.

“We wanted to give our customers a new way to experience Intel technology,” said CJ Bruno, Intel Americas corporate vice president and general manager. “It’s an innovative way for Best Buy’s customers to see, touch and engage with our latest products and experiences.”

Bruno said Intel will bring new technology experiences into the Intel Experience each season to showcase to customers.

Jason Bonfig, Best Buy Computing and Tablets senior category officer, said the dedicated areas will concentrate on exposing customers to new Intel-based technology, such as using a touch-enabled, Intel-powered laptop to design a 3-D model of a robot with 3-D printing or designing and racing a Mars Rover developed with an Intel-based tablet.

“People don’t normally have the opportunity to experience the kind of cutting-edge technology that will be featured in these shops,” he said. “It’s a natural extension of our goal to showcase the endless possibilities of technologies and ignite our customers’ imaginations.”