by , 9:45 AM EST, November 14th, 2008

Microsoft opened its own online store on Friday, joining the ranks of Apple, Sony, and a long list of other companies that began offering Web-based stores years ago. Like other online stores, Microsoft's venture -- dubbed Microsoft Store -- gives it a way to sell direct to customers instead of relying only on third-party resellers.

The Microsoft Store

The Redmond-based company is offering all of its software through its online store -- including Office 2008 for the Mac -- along with the Xbox 360, Zune media players, keyboards, mice and Web cams. The Microsoft Store is also offering many of its Windows-based apps as electronic downloads.

The Microsoft Store is available in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Korea, and will expand to additional countries in the near future.