Microsoft's new site "The Micr

Microsoft Store offers Microsoft's entire consumer catalog, including desktop software, the Xbox console and its related game titles, the Microsoft Zune,M and all of the company?s hardware, including mice, keyboards, web cameras, and joysticks.

According to Microsoft, one of the most compelling features of the new store is that it will offer many products, including Windows and Office, as a digital download.

The store will price all its products at the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).

The new site includes tabs to broad product categories, and simple links for version comparisons, pricing and ordering. Straightforward "connect the dots" diagrams allow for fast comparisons between software versions.

In addition to downloads, Microsoft Store will also offer full packaged product. In general, PC software will be available either as packaged product or for immediate download, while games and of course hardware will be shipped.

Microsoft Store has already launched in Germany, UK and Korea. Over the next year, the store will also launch in several countries worldwide, in a number of languages. New stores are in the works for Japan, France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Microsoft's customers using the site will also have access to Microsoft's traditional customer and technical support organizations.