Microsoft, following rival Apple's lead, will open its own branded retail stores, selling Windows Mobile phones, Windows-based PCs, Xbox videogame consoles and other Microsoft-related products. The company has hired David Porter, a 25-year Wal-Mart veteran and most recently the head of world-wide product distribution at DreamWorks Animation SKG, as corporate vice president of retail stores. Microsoft currently plans to open a "small number" of stores. Article