“To better compete with Apple and establish its own brand, Microsoft reportedly is planning to open retail stores,” Steve Johnson blogs for The Chicago Tribune. “But, Microsoft being Microsoft, we are anticipating some unique features:”

• Store hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. But each day it will take 90 minutes to open, two hours to close.

• Every customer forced to take a copy of Internet Explorer.

• Eventually, 90 percent of malls will have them, but not because the mall operators really want them.

More in the full blog post here.

MacDailyNews Take: Mr. Johnson forgot one: Anyone who makes a purchase is immediately locked in.

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Microsoft Retail Stores: The dumbest idea ever – February 13, 2009
How Microsoft’s retail stores will differ from Apple’s – February 13, 2009
Microsoft’s last retail store attempt was a dismal failure – February 13, 2009
Microsoft hires Wal-Mart vet to oversee development of Microsoft Retail Stores – February 12, 2009
Microsoft plays catch-up to Apple, looks to open branded retail store in NYC – August 29, 2005