Microsoft Retail: Surprising and Delighting Soon?

More rumors have surfaced about Microsoft entering the retail space with Apple-like stores. I can't say I am surprised by this. Since the launch of the original Xbox in the fall of 2001, Microsoft has been positioning itself more and more as a hardware manufacturer, with varying degrees of success. The Xbox certainly has established itself as a player in the console wars, and I guess the Zune has muscled its way into second place in the digital music player market. Sure it's so far behind Apple and the iPod it's not even funny, but i guess being ahead of the iRiver should account for something. There has even been rumors about them selling a Microsoft branded PC.

I just wonder how serious they are about entering retail. Will theses stores simply be a showcase piece where you go to look and touch, but ultimately are forced to order products from a website? (Remember, this was Apple's original plan. Then never really expected the retail stores to make any money. They figured they would take a loss on the stores, but would generate some nice advertising.) Or will they jump in feet first and attempt to copy Apple's model of selling a select core of products along with providing superior customer service?

I'm curious to see how this all shakes out. I just hope their version of the Genius Bar is available at launch. It will make getting my Xbox 360 replacement soooo much easier when the next red ring of death strikes.