Microsoft has a LOT more software skill than even Sun. And OS is exponentially more complex than a program like Java. Besides, building an OS from the ground up for all platforms does not inherently make it bloated. It may increase the size in bytes of the OS, but the amount of current processing power being used can be directly linked to the specific processes that the OS is calling at one time. If you don't have a touch-capable PC, then the touch code won't be loaded. And so on.

I seriously don't get the Windows 8 bashing going on here. It is an incredible OS to be able to be compatible across all of these platforms and still work well. I do have my pet-peeves, of course, but overall it is an extremely polished OS. There is STILL desktop mode for those who want it. Do not say that it is pointless, because you don't have a start menu - by pinning things to the taskbar and creating Desktop folders you can do basically anything you could do before just as efficiently (if not more so).

The Start Screen really is quite efficient for displaying information, and it isn't that cluttered. I'm using the Consumer Preview right now, and it all works quite well together.

Also, his point about operating devices with voice is quite valid. Stating that we have had the capability for 20 years is not a valid argument, as the general consumer populace would want a command structure that is reliable and accurate. Voice control has only advanced to this level (and even now, not completely so) recently.

Hand commands could very well be useful in many situations. For example, on an HTPC; sitting on a couch and pointing to select a specific show, to play or pause, or to skip to the next episode. NOT for workplace documentation work, but for many other purposes.

Picking at some points (however valid they may be) without looking at the breadth of the various applications for the technology just doesn't work in the end in my opinion..