There was a lot of vision discussion at Microsoft Analyst day.

Mobile future was covered by Robbie Bach http://www.microsoft.com/msft/speech/FY06/BachFAM2006.mspx. A number of devices are coming out. Currently the total number of windows mobile devices are close to 11 Million. One thing that has changed since last year, Microsoft is clearly stating that its competitors in this are RIM, Nokia, and Linux. Linux is starting to make a big dent in the smartphone arena esp. in China (also in Japan and Europe) and that has Microsoft worried.

Also, a big focus on Zune – Microsoft’s answer to iPOD. They give it a 5 year cycle to catch-up with iPOD. But they are just trying to duplicate what Apple is doing not offering a new disruptive proposition. Without it, they will struggle.

Ozzie talked about the overall “experience hub” vision that connects all the major MS platforms. If they can pull it off, they will be in strong position and Google will have a challenger.

More coverage on Zune here http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/brierdudley/index.html#011514

More on analyst day here http://www.komotv.com/stories/44627.htm