Microsoft is kicking its rivalry with Apple up a notch in an aggressive way. The PC and gaming giant will be opening up Microsoft-exclusive stores later this year, and many of them are going to be right next door to their good friend Apple.

This isn’t the first step Microsoft has made towards serious competition with Apple, but it may be one of the biggest. The stores are set to hit this fall, possibly to coincide with the Windows 7’s release.

This isn’t really gaming news, but it would be nice if they also repaired Xbox 360s on site. The red ring of death has held us down for too long!