Bill Gates makes his final appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show
Vito P
Sun
Microsoft’s Zune MP3 player is expected be sold in Canada this spring
LAS VEGAS – Microsoft Corp. is taking a big swing at Apple Inc. and its popular iPod by announcing huge upgrades to its Xbox Live service and that it would start selling its popular Zune MP3 player in Canada this spring.
The Zune is Microsoft’s answer to the iPod. Until now, it has only been available in the U.S. This past Christmas, the Zune was so popular that demand was greater than for Nintendo’s Wii console, according to expert gadget website Cnet.com.
Speaking for the last time as Microsoft’s chief executive at the Consumer Electronics Show here on Sunday, Bill Gates announced that not only will the device be made available in Canada, but so will movies from MGM, as well as TV and movie content from Disney Corp. and ABC in the coming months.
Until now, Apple’s iTunes store has had largely exclusive agreements for most of the new content.
Gates has opened the popular show with his “state of the union address” for the past 12 years, but he now plans to leave his full-time position at the company in June to focus on the charitable activities of his $33-billion Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“It will be the first time in 17 years that I will be moving away from my Microsoft job,” said Gates. “This will be my last keynote at the show.”
He reflected on his time with Microsoft, saying the 1990s heralded the dawn of the “digital decade” — a time when digital photos, TV shows and music became the norm.
The next 10 years, he predicted, will be even more exciting.
“In many ways, we are at the very beginning,” Gates said. “During the next digital decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive, and more fulfilling.”
In a video, Gates jokingly showcased his post-Microsoft plans.
In one segment, he was shown working out with his new “personal trainer,” actor Matthew McConaughey. After the two finished exercising, Gates asked McConaughey, “is it time to take my shirt off?”
Another exchange showed U2’s Bono cut down Gates’ dreams to join the band, saying, “Bill we can’t replace Edge just because you got a high score on Guitar Hero.”
The video also features Gates with well-known actors and politicians such as George Clooney, Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, all of whom wished Gates their best.
Joining Gates on stage was Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division. Speculation had been swirling about who would become the new face of Microsoft in Gates’ absence. Much of that speculation was put to rest when Bach announced that he would be back at the Consumer Electronics Show next year.
Bach, who has been with the company for a decade, is responsible for the more appealing aspects of Microsoft’s business, including the company’s Xbox 360 gaming console and its Zune MP3 player.
Since 1967, the show has been responsible for introducing the world to products such as the alkaline battery, the VHS cassette player, the CD player and camcorder, and last year it highlighted the intense competition between Sony Corp.’s Blu-ray technology and Toshiba Corp.’s HD DVD.
The show annually attracts more than 150,000 attendees and more than 2,700 companies, eager to show off their technological wares.
Gates was only the first on a star-studded list of speakers who will address the crowds this week, including Toshihiro Sakamoto, president of Panasonic AVC Networks Co., Intel Corp. chief executive Paul Otellini, Comcast Corp. chairman and chief executive Brian Roberts and Rick Wagoner, chairman and chief executive of General Motors.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
