How We Know Chrome OS Will Be A Hit: Steve Ballmer Doesn’t Think So
techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com
Had he answered with "no comment", the headline would've been "Microsoft shaking in their boots". Giving a vague non-answer might have been safer, but it still doesn't mean we should read too much into his answer (and even that could have been twisted any number of ways).
All these pseudo journalist are taking Google OS as a great success for granted and ridiculing someone who uses a safer and smarter approach of just not predicting the future.
The post itself comes across as filler. Ballmer disparages all his competition and given Microsoft's track record I'd guess he's been right more than he's been wrong (only in the last 5 to 10 years has Microsoft become the gang who can't shoot straight). But again he insults everyone so it's not really an indication of anything.