The best user experience will come from sticking to one operating system (OS) across all devices - from mobile handsets and tablets to laptops and media centres. When it comes to technology, it is no longer hardware first. It is OS first, hardware second. To get the most out of your technology, choose your OS first and then pick hardware to match it.
One of the main issues to do with the Apple and Google OS technology is that phones and tablets run on different operating systems to laptops and PCs. Microsoft, however, uses the same system for both mobile and desktop devices.
This means that any file saved to Microsoft's cloud storage system, SkyDrive, is automatically available - and editable - on any other Windows 8 device. You do not need to download additional applications to convert or edit documents created on a desktop device.
An additional feature of Windows 8 and SkyDrive is that you can remotely access any device that is logged into your Windows Live account. If you have not uploaded a document to SkyDrive yet and you decide to work on it from home, you can remotely access the file from another device if it is logged in.
If Microsoft can merge mobile device software to function using Windows 8 - successfully - tablets won't just be readers and browsers; they'll become functional business tools. Microsoft may not be sexy, but if it can do this, it will be able to dominate both the desktop and mobile software arenas.
All the operating systems do similar things - except for processing and storage. Apple and Microsoft store files on your computer and then synchronise devices via their cloud storage software. Google stores your files in their cloud system and then gives you permanent access via the internet. This can be tricky in Africa where internet access is limited, unreliable and expensive.
The answer is that you should only dance with one elephant, so choose your next phone carefully. Prioritise your requirements, choose an operating system and then go handset shopping.
Mark Shuttleworth has announced that he will launch an Ubuntu Linux operating system on certain smartphones. It will allow them to act as PCs when connected to a monitor and dock. His aim is to converge cloud computing, data centres, PCs and consumer electronics into one unified operating system.
The Linux-based Ubuntu OS is an enterprise system; it works on anything from a smartphone to a supercomputer, seamlessly. A feat that none of the other dancing elephants can boast. Ubuntu is targeted at Africa - with its vast number of first-time tech users. My prediction? It will be huge, and not only in Africa.