I say “new” because few companies have been brave enough to consolidate these garage experiments into mature products. Only one company to date has commercialized a couple of products which have mass appeal, Apple with its Ipod Touch and the Iphone, though “new” products from a variety of manufacturers are promised this year.  Also “new” because claims of breach of patent seem to emerge from compnies other than those claiming to have invented or released such technologies.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/06/25/apple-and-host-of-others-added-to-touchscreen-patent-lawsuit

I remember a collegue who was really miffed by the announcement of the Iphone over 2 years ago, mentioning that Apple, contrary to what many were saying, were not innovative becasue they had ripped off a number of other’s patents and technology research. Though this may be a valid observation, I could not help thinking that, sure, Apple might have released somebodies elses ideas, BUT they HAVE without  a doubt , and under immense vision, made these “new” technologies available to all and before anyone else, though one could add Palm to this vision and foresight (shame, they really seem to have lost it!).

To add insult to injury they have done it was remarkable flare for contemporary design and marketing. Whether we like it or not they have shown remarkable fiscal strength during the trying period which is the down turn of global economies. They must be doing something right. Remember money talks!

I hear you cry “What about Microsoft?”. The fact is that besides “Surface” (which is too expensive for mainstream and which has only sold to corporate interests, so far), the only other technology which is innovative under this category is the Microsoft Sphere.

(http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2008/08/14/acloser-look-at-the-technology-behind-the-microsoft-sphere)

Personally there are two glaring ommission to the Sphere. Fish and water. Ok, thats unfair. Maybe some seaweed would look good too.

Besides the obvious hideousness of its design, it is beyond me why.

What is it useful for?. Ok, we have heard that it could be useful for maps, that is, if you have X-ray vision.

If Maps are its main use then this is the only instance I can think of where I would shout out proudly that the Earth is better FLAT!.

Did MS marketing not think to question why is it that Apple are so succesful? The answer is fairly simple. DONT GIVE THE GAME AWAY until you have driven potential customers to distraction and to a frenzy which will drive them to your shop door

I just hope that Steve Ballmers recent letter to MS employees,

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/03/email-from-steve-ballmer-to-all-microsoft-employees/

in which he says that MS could learn from its competitors is read by them and soon. And as far as the new advert goes. Sure, it is getting everyone talking about Microsoft, but I think rather more about Bill Gates and what big shoes he has compared to the rest of the aging team.