That seems to be the trend. The new Ubuntu with Unity is designed to work on desktop computers AND mobile devices. Windows 8 is supposed to offer the same capability. But why is it necessary for an OS to work on both desktop computers AND mobile devices? What's wrong with having one OS for the desktop and a different OS for a mobile device? I haven't heard anyone complain about the new Unity-based Ubuntu on mobile devices, but many have complained about how it works on the desktop. For all the talk about the desktop going away, I can't see that happening. How can you do serious work on a mobile device? I see mobile devices as something you use to quickly look something up or send a quick message. Mobile devices just don't have the basic ergonomics to support serious work, like working on your tax return or writing a major report. I think the controversy over the new Ubuntu is a preview of Windows 8. According to what I've read, Windows 8 looks and feels completely different from Windows XP and 7. Given that the average Windows user is more resistant to change than the average Ubuntu user, I think Windows 8 will be a fiasco, possibly even worse than Windows Vista. I can't imagine how Microsoft gains significant market share in mobile devices. It dominates the desktop market SOLELY because of the network effect of "everyone else uses it". There can't be that many people thinking, "This mobile OS doesn't cut it. I'm SO desperately waiting for Microsoft to come to the rescue!" I think Microsoft is in a similar position today as General Motors was in the late 1970s. Windows Vista was the new Chevy Vega. If Windows 8 is the new Chevy Citation, Microsoft is in big trouble. If Microsoft goes down, it will decline much more rapidly than GM did as a result of losing the network effect of "everyone else uses it". -- Jason Hsu <jhsu802701 at jasonhsu.com>