Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage Jan. 9 for what could very well be his last keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show. Microsoft has insisted it is unilaterally withdrawing from the massive technology showcase, arguing that the show's timing no longer aligns with the company's release cycle. The organizers behind CES assert it was a mutual decision. In any case, Ballmer used his time onstage to discuss Windows 8, Windows Phone, ultrabooks, Xbox and the Kinect hands-free gaming controller, and the "Metro" design aesthetic uniting these elements into a single ecosystem. "I think people will be kind of impressed by how [Metro] lights everything up," he told television host Ryan Seacrest, who acted as a host of sorts for the keynote, and the audience of hundreds filling the ballroom of Vegas' Venetian hotel and casino. Whether that proves the case, Ballmer's keynote illustrated how Microsoft faces a host of opportunities and challenges in 2012: convincing users that Windows 8 and ultrabooks are worth the investment, and that Windows Phone deserves a second glance. In the end, though, Ballmer saw one product in particular as Microsoft's core focus. "Windows 8 is what's next," he told the audience. "There's nothing more important at Microsoft than Windows."
of
Ballmer and Seacrest
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage Jan. 9 for what probably will be his last keynote address at CES. Television personality Ryan Seacrest engaged him in a question-and-answer session about various Microsoft products such as Windows 8.
'Metro'
As the unifying theme of his speech, Ballmer talked about the "Metro" design aesthetic that increasingly unites Microsoft's properties, referring to it as a "star attraction" across "all the user experiences" offered by his company.
Windows Phone
"I'm really excited and upbeat about where we are," Ballmer said about Microsoft's Windows Phone. "If you take a look at it, the other phones all make the sea of icons, the sea of applications. … What we've really done with windows phone is have a better way."
Launch Pad
Microsoft and its partners are using CES as a platform to essentially reintroduce Windows Phone to a broad audience. Although the mobile software platform attracted some solid critical reviews following its initial release in late 2010, by summer even Ballmer acknowledged that Windows Phone devices were selling poorly.
Nokia and Others
Manufacturing partners such as Nokia and HTC have committed to building a new generation of Windows Phones, with specs matching those of high-end rivals such as Apple's iPhone and the premium Android smartphones.
Windows 8
Ballmer and his fellow Microsoft executives also offered some views on Windows 8, which will almost certainly make its marketplace debut later in 2012.
Windows Store
In keeping with Microsoft's intention to make Windows 8 an operating system for both traditional PCs and tablets, Windows 8 will include features such as an app store.
Metro, Again
The Metro aesthetic is a heavy component of Windows 8.
Tablet
Here is a look at Windows 8 on a tablet.
Ultrabooks
Ballmer and company also touted "ultrabooks," which are ubiquitous at this year's CES. Ultrabooks are being pushed aggressively by Intel, which is seeking a way to make its presence more deeply felt in the mobile segment.
Windows Azure is a public cloud platform for building, hosting and scaling applications. Try Windows Azure free for 90 days and get 20GB outbound and unlimited inbound data transfer.
Enterprise Mobility News & Reviews 
Cloud Data Backup Now Makes Sense for SMBs: 10 Reasons Why 
HP, Lenovo, Asus Laptops, Desktops Offer Consumer Style for Busin[..]
Microsoft`s F#: 10 Reasons Why It`s a Hot Programming Language fo[..]
Data Center Efficiency: 10 Tips to Boost Productivity, Reduce Pow[..]
iPhone Apps to Kick Off the 2012 Summer Season 
Email Security: 10 Steps for Dealing With Dangerous Messages
See All Slideshows
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage Jan. 9 for what could very well be his last keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show. Microsoft has insisted it is unilaterally withdrawing from the massive technology showcase, arguing that the show's timing no longer aligns with the company's release cycle. The organizers behind CES assert it was a mutual decision. In any case, Ballmer used his time onstage to discuss Windows 8, Windows Phone, ultrabooks, Xbox and the Kinect hands-free gaming controller, and the "Metro" design aesthetic uniting these elements into a single ecosystem. "I think people will be kind of impressed by how [Metro] lights everything up," he told television host Ryan Seacrest, who acted as a host of sorts for the keynote, and the audience of hundreds filling the ballroom of Vegas' Venetian hotel and casino. Whether that proves the case, Ballmer's keynote illustrated how Microsoft faces a host of opportunities and challenges in 2012: convincing users that Windows 8 and ultrabooks are worth the investment, and that Windows Phone deserves a second glance. In the end, though, Ballmer saw one product in particular as Microsoft's core focus. "Windows 8 is what's next," he told the audience. "There's nothing more important at Microsoft than Windows."