Berlin (Germany) - The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced today that the chief executives of Microsoft, Sony and Ford will deliver keynote addresses at the 2009 International CES tradeshow. Most notably, of course, is the fact that Steve Ballmer now has the honor of delivering the CES opening keynote for the first time, effectively succeeding Bill Gates as the pre-CES keynote speaker.

There was something warm and fuzzy about the 2008 CES pre-show (Day 0) keynote when Microsoft chairman and co-founder Bill Gates spoke for the last time at the event. Gates had grown into an institution over the years with several memorable keynotes delivered in 1998 and from 2000 to 2008 (Sony’s Sir Howard Stringer held the keynote in 1999.)

The CEA now invited Steve Ballmer as the pre-CES keynote speaker for the show for the very first time. And we can’t help but have a warm and fuzzy feeling about that as well, but are certain that Steve Ballmer inevitably will be compared to Gates, his charisma, his visions, promises and stage presence.

Day 1 keynote speakers include Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer and Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford.

Will he.....

Aug 29, 2008 18:37     

Admit to everyone that Vista was a blunder and that Windows 7 will be what Vista was suppost to had been and that everyone that bought Vista out right will get Windows 7 for free or for a small S&H cost? lol hey one can dream can't one ?
ThomFrost report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Go Steve!!!

Aug 30, 2008 13:49     

I love Steve!!! He is a great leader and Microsoft and CES are lucky to have him. The Microsoft Zune is a great product, as is Visa, Office, XBOX360, and nearly everything Microsoft has done recently. That pretty much sums it up.
TampaThomas report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

Vista is Ballmer's Baby

Aug 30, 2008 14:07     

Vista is really Steve Ballmer's baby and we all know what a failure it was. I suspect Windows 7 will be similar to Windows 98SE, a fix for Windows Vista.
Cypherdude report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Vista a blunder???

Sep 01, 2008 03:45     

Please stop this "im too set in my ways to actually admit the truth about vista rubbish" http://www.tweakguides.com/VA_1.html please actually TRY to use something before bashing it.
scradge report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1