Virtual battle

At last, the fundamental technology battle of our time is at hand. Will you want a virtual version of your Web stuff on your desktop or your handheld device -- the way Google will serve it up -- or will you want a virtual version of your desktop or handheld device on the Web -- the way Microsoft will serve it up?

I'm betting on Microsoft's approach, but only because Google's privacy assurances aren't very convincing, and the Web is subject to reliability problems, as anyone who's ever tried to watch a Netflix movie online can confirm. But millions of others will opt for Google, because of the continuing headaches of deploying and patching desktops like Windows.

Finally, which side will Apple take?