Why Today’s Keynote from Ballmer and Friends Unveils Apple’s Underlying Disease

With a few of my friends from Wyldryde, such as TheHitman and ramakandra, we conducted a small, live blogging session, in a channel on WyldRyde, and we discussed before, during, and after, what the future would hold for Microsoft.

In my last post, I scathed Apple for having a crumbling pyramid structure for its Board of Directors, and for charging 1900s prices. I am not here saying that Microsoft provides a ’saintful’ service to consumers, but to all those who aren’t deaf to those who say that Apple is anything but godly, it looks like a good decade to come.

At the pre-CES keynote, several speakers including the CEO, Steve Ballmer, who recently stepped into Bill Gates’ sweater, gave insight into the future of technology in this economic climate, and the future of Microsoft. There were many look-forward-tos for 2009, including:

• Windows 7 Beta out for TechNet and MSDN, out to Public on Friday 
• Demo of Windows 7, and new Windows Live Technologies
• Multiple current and upcoming hardware choices, ranging from PCs to Laptops to Mobiles
• Halo Wars and Halo ODST coming throughout 2009
• Game, programming, and community ‘channels’ coming to XBox Live
• Lots of multi-touch research done by Microsoft Research, including a futuristic paper-like surface.

Now, just for a bit of blurry comparision, lets compare this to the Macworld keynote by Apple.

• iWork and iLife ‘09 
• iTunes Updates
• Macbook Pro Refresh

The other interesting thing is that Microsoft has been at CES for 15 years, and doesn’t look to be faltering with lively presentations from two talented beat-boxers, Tripod (from Australia, W00T), and the best technology grasping presentation I have seen in a while. Also, when Steve Jobs is at the mercy of shareholders and the community, Steve Ballmer is making his step onto the world stage, and he is looking good.

Make your own conclusions from today. I know mine isn’t good for Apple.

You can watch the keynote here.