The end of Microsoft? No. The end of Steve Ballmer? Yes.

Since way back in 2009, both Windows and Office have been on my Technology Deathwatch list.

Then, I was considered mad. Now, I'm considered behind the curve since the deathwatch list of technologies uses the year 2016 as its benchmark.

For me, it was simple. Mobile, hyperlocal, social. Those would be, I was preaching back then, the core elements of all personal computing, communications, applications, media and content.

Neither Windows nor Office were built for such a world.

And such a world is approaching, fast. Year after year now, we see the numbers that reveal that Mac is growing -- from its small base -- but also that all the other big "PC" makers are shrinking.

Despite billions, Windows Phone barely registers above statistical noise when looking at market share (or profits). 

Now this: per AllThingsD, Apple will sell 48 million iPads in 2012, possibly more. While the Windows tablet, for all the buzz, remains non-existent.

“We believe this significant refresh will likely help drive higher iPad sales and help further differentiate from arguably the only real competitor in the market, Amazon’s Kindle Fire, and not to mention the myriad of Android offerings out there,” says Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu. “We are currently modeling 48 million iPad shipments for calendar 2012.”

For all his numerous strengths and talents, Ballmer is lost. As I've said before, he will be out by no later than the end of 2013. At the latest.