I take it all back MS can be innovators, but in this case they were a little ahead of their time. I think the iPad and similar devices are getting close to a useful browser/book reader replacement but they will not be replacing my laptop any time soon. Most tasks I complete on a laptop requires a lot of typing and this is really slow on a touch screen compared to a real keyboard.

A person should not be able to be fired for what they say in their own time, unless the comments are un-true and they are causing a loss to the company due to their online comments, this is where the company could have a case for defamation, or the person is leaking company secrets which is just plain wrong. People need to be careful what they say on-line and only say something if they have evidence/support to back up their comments. If you put something in the public space, it is open slather, and if a company wants to bother monitoring public commentry it is their choice. It is a waste of resources in my opinion. People are plain stupid if they are using social networking during work hours on a work pc, unless it is in their job description.

Nothing beats a piece of paper for taking notes or drawing a quick diagram. Laptops take too long to boot Desktops are not portable PDAs are too small Whiteboards are too bulky to carry around Digital screens are mostly (ecluding e-ink type screens) not readable in direct sunlight. Software generally takes longer to perform the same task on paper. Using paper, it is instant on, can be read in direct sunlight, comes in various sizes and is light and easy to carry, and with everyone thinking about the environment it is "greener" than all the alternatives.

I disagree, tablets don't suck. Tablets have had a problem of short battery life, screens are not good in sunlight and the interface is that of a laptop/desktop rather than tablet, where a user would have access to a keyboard and mouse. I think since multi-touch has become available, this market has been changing for the better. I also think that once the multi-touch colour e-ink type displays become more prevalent and battery life creeps over 12 hours (which is already starting to happen) these devices will become more popular. The only problem left is to make it possible to view video on an e-ink type display, although the Pixel Qi display has provided a solution to this it would be better if you didn't have to swap between display types. To me, a tablet is something I want to use for reading, browsing the internet and annotating documents. So I am after a version that opens like a book and has 2 hi-res (min 1366 x 786) multi-touch screens and a battery life of over 12 hours and enough grunt to browse and watch video. The device must be capable of running multiple apps simulatenously. The screen should also be readable in sunlight. With the Pixel Qi screen and other technologies currently available I think this is achievable. So where is it?

Didn't say there was anything wrong with copying the technology. I actually think the whole idea of software patents is plain stupid. I just don't like it when companies claim to be innovators when they are not. As for a MS version of iPhone, I am guessing they would lock the phone as much as Apple so I wouldn't be interested. I am sure there are plenty of people that would though. One of the things that is most desirable for business users is tight integration with MS Exchange and I would expect a MS phone to provide this.

Look at the history of MS and most things they have "created" that was any good was purchased technology. MS spends so much on R&D and yet what have they really created that is worth anything? Windows was not their invention, DOS was not their invention. XBox is about the only thing I can think of that they created that people liked and yet the product was plagued with problems from the time of release, like everything they have actually created, and in the end nintendo was soooo much better. At least Apple when they release a product it more often than not is a true innovation and was created not purchased and it works. I am not a fan of Apple, their products are too limited for the purchase price but they do integrate very well, something MS does not do well.

So do MS think they can copy it or are they just trying to extract all the ip they can. I doubt they will be able to buy Apple which is there normal path to "creating" new technologies.

The easiest and most effective way to fight DRM is by withdrawing your monetary support of the system. I realise this may be hard for people that love their music and/or movies. Look at it as a sacrifice for the greater good. Companies that do not support fair use of a purchased product will not make any money from me because I do not purchase their products. I have not purchased music since I was at uni, over ten years ago (I listen to the radio), and I have not purchased any DVD's for more than 5 years (I only watch the news and mostly read books). I dont even go to see movies at the theatre anymore. DRM has eroded the rights of consumers, so we should erode their profit margin by boycotting their products. This does not break any laws (none that I know of) and is a silent protest against an unjust system. I encourage people around the world to fight the evil of DRM in a law abiding fashion. How has the world peacefully encouraged countries to change policies in the past and present, using economic sanctions!

This is my two cents worth :)