Undoubtedly you’ve seen Microsoft’s Surface announcement? I’ve been following some of the news on the topic, and specifically have been watching who is saying what.

I saw the preview of Windows 8, and was completely underwhelmed. I recognize that mobile computing is the future, but desktop computing isn’t going anywhere. Windows 8 seems like a clumsy stumble into slapping a mobile finish onto a desktop. Even when functioning in only a tablet mode, why does the system need to be “Windows”? The branding, interaction design, and presentation all look to me like a train wreck, and I’m no Apple fanboy (although, if this keeps up, the only viable place for a commercial operating system looks like it might come from those quarters).

But apart form Windows 8, it’s been a long time since Microsoft announced anything new that’s worth mentioning. They squandered a seemingly marvelous opportunity with Courier. And the XBox Kinect, although a nifty device, has certain flaws (doesn’t work in small rooms, “hears” sound that the XBox itself makes, fragile stand with movable parts…) that make it questionable as anything but a precursor to the real game-changer yet to come.

There’s no doubt that Microsoft innovates. I think they have a lot buried in their R&D departments that we never see. I think they have an institutional problem of choosing winning new products, and that’s what has me concerned about Surface. But that’s just the background for the point I’d like to get to.

While reading all of these news outlets,