Simon Cowell and Will.i.am plan a technology X Factor

MEDIA MOGULS Simon Cowell and Will.i.am are said to be working together on creating a kind of X Factor talent show for the consumer technology industry.

The aim is to find the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, or someone - who knows really? - and will see the pair make people stand in front of them and show off their technology.

The mind boggles, really. Does the world need it? No, probably not. Has it asked for it? Well, we don't think so.

These sorts of questions have never stopped anyone in the past though, so why should it now? According to a report at Rupert Murdoch's tabloid The Sun, the meeting of great minds is quite well advanced.

"We're working on a project called X Factor for Tech - and it's going to be out of this world," said Will.i.am.

"Singing and performance create a couple of jobs. But this will create lots. It's about getting in touch with youth and giving them a platform to express themselves - whether that's in science or mathematics."

Usually 'youth' advance their technology and science careers at school, followed by engineering college or university. But if there is an alternative, such as appearing on a prime time television show fronted by celebrities, then some might choose that route, we imagine.

It is, after all, a very funny world. µ