Bill Gates Keynote At CES

[Mike Temporale]

I've just finished watching Bill Gates keynote speech at CES and I must say, Bill and guests talked about some really cool things. There was no big Smartphone or Windows Mobile announcement, but don't let that turn you off. Bill did manage to squeeze in the small fact that there are currently 68 mobile operators with Windows Mobile devices in 28 different countries. As well, Bill picked up an Audiovox SMT5600 and showed off a new feature called remote photo browsing, which allows you to wirelessly sync pictures from your Media Center PC to your Smartphone while you're on the go!

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050105-CES-BillAudiovox.jpg

Overall, it was a great presentation. I really enjoyed the SBC demo that showed how you will be able to customize your TV viewing experience. Very cool stuff. However, things didn't run as nice as you would expect. The first demo of the night was for Media Center, and it crashed bad. Then a couple minutes later, Conan announced that the problem was fixed, and they attempted it again. Of course, the outcome was no better the second time around. 8O

Oh, and I don't know who setup that stage, but Bill was sitting way to low in comparison to Conan. He should have been raised up at least 12 - 18 inches.

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050105-CES-BillConan.jpg

[Skitals]

I thought it was pretty much a bust. Sure they showed some cool stuff, but nothing that new. Why waste time talking about a lame Xbox game (which gave a BSOD... and then played at like 1fps). It was like Microsofts version of Need for Speed Underground.

The remote photo viewing was pretty cool (and it actually worked). Blah. Im just bitter because I wanted to hear something about WM 2005 or Xbox 2.

[SnozBerries]

....Oh, and I don't know who setup that stage, but Bill was sitting way to low in comparison to Conan. He should have been raised up at least 12 - 18 inches. ....

I agree. Conan is very tall, but with such a big presentation like this, you think they would have seen this in their rehersals.

[Kris Kumar]

I am watching the recording right now.

Conan was funny..but harsh on some.

Loved the Bill Gates reference to "..version 2 and even version 3.." :lol: WM2005/Magneto will be the version 3. :lol:

Mike, I agree with the stage setup. Bill seemed uncomfortable. The Conan style interview format may be good to keep the non-techies glued. But seemed like Bill was getting interrupted at times.

[smartphone2002.info]

I found the idea funny that Bill waked up with a Apple. :lol:

[Kris Kumar]

I think I saw a black MPx220 in the SBC demo. And the demo succeeded. :? :lol:

[Mike Temporale]

I found the idea funny that Bill waked up with a Apple. :lol:

Ya, that was pretty funny. I wonder if he knew about this before hand?

[Mike Temporale]

I think I saw a black MPx220 in the SBC demo. And the demo succeeded. :? :lol:

Sadly no, it was a MPx200. :( I don't think I kept my screen capture of that either. Regardless, the SBC stuff was amazing. :D

[Kris Kumar]

For the folks who missed the live show...Here is the complete transcript and video recording.
http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/speeches/2005/01-05CES.asp

[Mike Temporale]

And Engadget has a really good play-by-play of the broadcast.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000293026218/

[Phoenix]

Does anyone actually have the video? I've checked out all the links, but I only see transcripts and not the video with Conan O'Brien.

[Kris Kumar]

Does anyone actually have the video? I've checked out all the links, but I only see transcripts and not the video with Conan O'Brien.

Looks like Microsoft took the video down. Too much embarrasment I guess. ;-) Windows Media Center PC demo and a game demo bombed in the presence of Bill Gates. And Conan asked Bill - "Who's in charge of Microsoft?". :oops:

[Mike Temporale]

Looks like Microsoft took the video down. Too much embarrasment I guess. ;-)

I don't know if it was out of embarrasment or not, but there are no videos of Bills other speaches. :? Although embarrasment could be the reason this isn't the first one. :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

Maybe MS should consider another Front Man. Just a thought 8)

[Arthur]

Hehe. Cool stuff. Methinks Windows Media Center Edition 2005 has just moved two steps closer to my shopping list.

BTW, the reason for Bill's demo bombing out all the time had nothing to do with Win stability (despite schadenfreude chuckles from MSphobes). The infra-red remote control extender, which had to get his remote's signal to the WMC 2005 PC at the back, bombed out during the live show despite being on a UPS and checked just seconds before going live. The demo was rehearsed until perfect using genuine live stuff. The 'net link was intermittent (again, outside Bill's control). Read more at http://blog.seanalexander.com/
All in all a pretty impressive show!

[Kris Kumar]

Read more at http://blog.seanalexander.com/
All in all a pretty impressive show!

Thanks for the link. As a geek, it feels good to know what went wrong. :-)

[Jerry Raia]

Still you have to enjoy the irony just a bit :)