It’s not that I automatically hate Microsoft - what would be the point and anyway they’ve created a lot of stuff that I use every day and probably a lot more besides that I take for granted. Given the choice though I’d rather never have to touch a non-Mac computer again (if only so I didn’t have to look so stupid asking people how to Apple Z on a PC).

I do wish that somebody (and why not Bill Gates?) would give Apple some competition before they get too complacent or self-congratulatory and money grubbing about their work - am I over sensitive or does the world really need so many different versions of the iPod? Whatever your thoughts, healthy competition is always a good thing so I watched Bill Gates’ interview with the BBC this morning with some hope.

The keyboard and mouse are history and touchscreen is here he said. Uhuh Bill, go ahead. Lookee here at this touchtable! The future will be touch-tastic! Well, yes… The problem with it is that it has all the glamour and excitement of a Newsnight election special. You know, the ones where Peter Snow waves his arms excitedly in front of a blue screen while entertaining, but ultimately always forgettable, techie stuff appears as if by magic. (The exception to this would be Jeremy Vine copying a hologram of Ming Campbell breakdancing to defeat, which may even be the image I conjure up on my deathbed decades from now.)

And that, I suppose, sums up where Microsoft get it wrong. With all of their money and fantastic brains to play with, you’d hope that their vision of the near future would be more uplifting, inspiring and memorable than a hologram of a former leader of the Liberal Democrats. Hey ho.