SAN DIEGO -- Software giant Microsoft opened a retail store Thursday at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego -- located four doors down from Apple’s retail store.

The store, meant to compete with Apple’s stores, is just the fourth to be opened nationwide by the Redmond, Wash.-based company. Apple has 286 stores.

Fashion Valley Mall looked more like a campground at dawn Thursday morning as a large number of people waited to purchase Apple’s newest iPhone and the PC crowd looked to get more than just electronics at Microsoft’s store.

“This is the craziest crowd I have ever seen,” said one person waiting in line.

At the Apple store, Josh Wilson and thousands of others waited until 7 a.m. to buy the iPhone 4. After getting his phone, Wilson said it was worth the wait.

“Super cool; so many new features … best phone out there. Now I can go back to bed,” said Wilson.

Three hours later, Microsoft’s store finally opened. Several hundred people sat on the pavement and waited to get their hands on Microsoft technology, but also for a ticket to meet teen pop star Demi Lovato. Lovato won’t be in San Diego until her Saturday concert.

“You asked why we chose here … and we did because you asked for it,” said Microsoft COO Kevin Turner.

Story continued at News10.com