I think the problem si that we are stuck using the hardware we have been used to, while these UI designers are preparing for the hardware that is fast approaching. We're at a crossroads, and that's tough on everyone.
The paradigm we are used to is a keyboard and mouse. The paradigm that's coming is no more mouse, and keyboard and UI are all part of one unified bit of hardware - "point" with your finger to drag sliders, click buttons and such.
Think about it: if you had to operate your car going down the road by "clicking" via a mouse virtual representations of headlight switch, high beams, windshield wipers, radio buttons and so forth, it'd get old REALLY quick. Yet this is the paradigm we seem to be clinging to in the computing arena.