A blog from vnunet.com covering the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from Las Vegas
CES Blog - a blog from vnunet.com
CES Blog - a blog from vnunet.com

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January 6, 2005

Gates' keynote – the light and not so light sides

The demo gods were definitely upset with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates during tonight's opening keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Three demos showed minor to major glitches, with the Xbox even resorting to the all-embarrassing blue-screen-of-death.

In addition to the Xbox goof-up, the demo of a new digital camera by Nikon had to be delayed twice. The camera uses a WiFi connection to send pictures to a computer.

Lastly, a demo of the MSN Remote service failed after the system lost its internet connection. The demo would have shown how users can remotely program their Media Center Edition PC to record a TV show.

Microsoft for the second year in a row choose to hire a comedian to co-host Gates' CES keynote presentation. A smart move we might say, because Gates isn't the most gifted speaker. The host of the TV show "Late Night" Conan O'Brien took no prisoners, welcoming Gates with the words: "Welcome to the show that you pretty much paid for."

When the Nikon camera demo went wrong, O'Brien grumbled: "Who runs this company?"

Img_1599
O'Brien points to similarities between Gates and Milhouse from The Simpsons

Img_1745
O'Brien and Gates showing off their Star Trek tattoos

Img_1746
That's what happens when you go out in Vegas! Gates waking up next to an Apple Powerbook.

Comments

Better than waking up next to Balmer tho!

Posted by :Walter Kurtz | January 6, 2005 5:37 PM

 

waking up next to an Apple PB is what he´s dreaming of…

Posted by :Hans Wurst | January 6, 2005 6:34 PM

 

Man I sure hope Gates didn't knock up that Powerbook with his demon seed.

Posted by :Gumby_mac | January 6, 2005 6:34 PM

 

Man I sure hope Gates didn't knock up that Powerbook with his demon seed.

Posted by :Gumby_mac | January 6, 2005 6:34 PM

 

History repeats itself. I'm reminded of the Blue Screen of Death during Bill's presentation of Windows 98 at Comdex. (http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/columnists/gmsv/10581891.htm)

Posted by :Robin Lionheart | January 6, 2005 8:31 PM

 

We all too well know that technology does not always work when we want it to, specially at trade shows. If there was a great WiFi Carrier like WIISCOM Bill would not have to worry about the internet connection dropping on him.
*** Vonage, Packet8, and all other VoIP Carriers keep an eye on your rearview mirror there is a WiFi Porsche ready to have youeat its dust. You will not see it until its passed and then gets way out of sight.

Posted by :Caribbean WiFi | January 6, 2005 9:21 PM

 

Please Please is it possible to download this show as a file. i dont have cable or satelite but i would really like to see it. Please

Posted by :Peter | January 6, 2005 10:04 PM

 

I've observed that the average PC can sense fear and urgency. Someone at these demos was probably showing a little too much of either or both : )

My new iMac warms up to me like a happy puppy.

Posted by :Jeff (proud new iMac G5 owner) | January 6, 2005 11:31 PM

 

Now if only that XBox had of been running Linux ;0)

Posted by :Phil | January 7, 2005 1:20 AM

 

I think apple laptop he had has a APPLE VERSION OF "LONGHORN" which is has reached M1 stage(-:

Posted by :guru | January 7, 2005 6:11 AM

 

The whole presentation in transcript form is at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/keynote.asp

Posted by :Iain Thomson | January 7, 2005 2:09 PM

 

Posted by :andrewd18 | January 10, 2005 3:17 AM

 

Just read the transcript............

I could vividly imagine Bill.......The Fonze.......Gates........squirming with every comment!
Great Job 'Colon'.
Unfortunately Bill money can't buy me cool

Posted by :hagheid | January 10, 2005 6:31 PM

 

CES performance simply shows how mediocre
Microsoft products are .... ;-)

Posted by :Dr.Marek Roland | January 12, 2005 2:17 AM

 

"because Gates isn't the most gifted speaker" is a way off the mark remark. Before his CES and COMDEX presentations evolved into product showcases Bill could do a fascinating hour-long one man industry exposition alone on stage. He is the clearest explainer of technology I have ever encountered and I have been listening to him talk for over a quarter century. It is indeed true that for the last five years you haven't been able to see this demonstrated at CES or COMDEX. A loss for all of us.

Posted by :FredT | January 13, 2005 1:50 AM

 

I guess those Indian programmers that Bill Gates hired are not doing the job! Better luck next time. Maybe hire some U.S. programmers, they seem to get the job done.

Posted by :anonymous | January 13, 2005 7:04 PM

 

if (Blue screen of death == Indian programmers){ Goto AmericanCompaniesAreDoomed()
}
else
{
HireAmericanProgrammers()
}

Posted by :Steve Johnston | January 13, 2005 7:08 PM

 

I would have to agree with Steve Johnston's comment. Bill Gates' performance at CES was the worst. I was there. I was looking for the promised land with Bill Gates and all he had waiting for us was the Blue Screen of Death. How disappointing! Microsoft continues to disappoint. Even their games are nothing to be admired for. Better luck next time!

Posted by :George Faban | January 13, 2005 8:13 PM

 

They should rename Microsoft to Micro-shit!

Posted by :John Adams | January 13, 2005 8:16 PM

 

I think Bill Gates' software is a real ripoff to the American consumer. Every month there is a new bug, or virus. I never seen a product so buggy. Also, he is exporting jobs for more bugs. What a relief that the EU is the real hero in this. They are charging the Microsoft company millions of dollars. Thank God, someone has the guts to challenge Microsoft.

Posted by :James Fuller | January 13, 2005 10:36 PM

 

.

In 5 years time operating systems will be:
------------------------------------------

o UNIX
o LINUX
o Mac OSX

No more Micro-crapp !!!

Posted by :Dr.Marek Roland | January 16, 2005 3:11 AM

 

Of all major software companies Microsoft uses the most American software engineers. So I would say out source some more to India because you Americans do a lousy job making software.

if (somethingWrong){
blameForeigners();
}

Posted by :Rishi from the Netherlands | January 19, 2005 9:48 PM

 

Greed has American companies hiring lower wage foreigners. I never understood buying a product that didn't work like it's supposed to. I hate to say this but if Bill Gates would like to be even more rich than he already is, make it simple to work, reliable, and above all, BUG FREE.

Posted by :Robert Buck | January 26, 2005 8:14 PM

 

What's up with Wiiscom anyway.

If your going to drive a WiFi Porsche, you will need a license.

Posted by :FlyBi WiFi | January 28, 2005 6:49 PM

 

Stupid Bill Gates! What a lame set of equipment and it all doesn't work. Mac OS X all the way baby! XP looks like it was designed by a 3 year old with a box of Crayola crayons. Sheesh!

Posted by :Macmaniac | January 28, 2005 9:26 PM

 

I'd say a three year old could do a better job then Bill. All he does is make falty software, get everyone to but it, and then two months later, he gets everyone to spend another couple hundred on something he assures works better, but really all he does is change the shade of blue in the BSOD to one of his liking.
I'd say its time for Bill to spend his $80 Billion US on making something that actually works!

Posted by :Crasher | April 12, 2005 9:27 AM

 

i m an indian.yeah more jobs for indians

Posted by :indian | April 30, 2005 4:27 PM

 

I love it when people moan their asses off about Bill Gates and the evils of microsoft and how shit it is etc, ect, ect...

...then go home and boot up their pc smiling with glee as the whites of there eyes glow blue from the windows welcome screen.

Posted by :TheMorningStar | May 3, 2005 9:47 PM

 

Bill Wants 1000000000000000000000000000000$

Posted by :Anonymous | June 19, 2005 9:30 AM

 

Very nice

Posted by :Alexander | October 14, 2005 8:36 AM

 

This showing was truly sad on microsofts part. and here I was thinking that they had scripted all of their CES shows, and used recorded screen demos to ensure no blue screens.

-----------------
Discuss techicnal issues in greater depth at Freetechsuppot.us. We will even help Bill with his next Blue Screen

Posted by :jtoppi | November 29, 2005 7:45 AM

 

Showcasing the promised "instant power on/off" of winvista would have rocked the house.

Posted by :kb2 | January 5, 2006 6:15 AM

 

Just recently was forced to use XP on my daughters new laptop. ( Formerly stuck to 98SE and 2000 when I had to use the dark side)
If XP is an their idea of improvement, Usoft should be out of business by years end.IMHO

Posted by :John | January 9, 2006 2:50 PM

 

I'm reminded of an old ad Apple ran years ago. Some poor schmuck is at the podium when his laptop crashes. He apologizes and frantically tries to fix it. People in the audience start shouting out ideas: "Try your config.sys!" "Check the win.ini file!" etc. Finally someone yells out, "Get a Mac." Good advice, Bill. My 2 OS X Macs have had exactly 1 system crash int he last 30 months. I like to use my computer to do work, not work on my computer...

Posted by :Mike | January 9, 2006 8:32 PM

 

Bill Gates in bed is TOO SHOCKING for little minds to look at...Where are the Naked Broads?

Posted by :ugly george | January 10, 2006 2:14 PM

 

The truly sad part of all this is that none of the average consumer lemmings switch. Gates promises that it's all gonna be all right, some hardware company bundles all this shit to appear that Macs are more costly, then the average guy buys virus software, spyware software, and usb 2.0 garbage. Of course then they have 200 security "upgrades" and 150 uncovered worms, trojan horses and viruses to deal with. Gates buries other innovative technology or tries to steal or compromise what he can't (i.e. the clickwheel patent move), but nobody raises hell about it. Maybe I'm showing my age, but I remember when we were all paying whatever AT&T said for long distance. If we can survive the breakup of AT&T, we can survive the breakup of microshaft. The EU needs to slam MS so we can get on with the revolution.

Posted by :tripp | January 10, 2006 9:38 PM

 

how come Apple make OSX,panther, then shortly after bill thinx up XBOX & of corse WIN XP lol , its a blatent rip off of names & association . the funny thing is 9 times out of ten if its marked Pro then its toilet!-) & thats a Rule of phumb sustained!
Good thing is bill can call his next release of windoze.... XpUssy LOL

Posted by :leny c | January 16, 2006 5:53 PM

 

Just recently was forced to use XP on my daughters new laptop. ( Formerly stuck to 98SE and 2000 when I had to use the dark side)
If XP is an their idea of improvement, Usoft should be out of

Posted by :Amber | March 5, 2006 9:03 AM

 

Man I sure hope Gates didn't knock up that Powerbook with his demon seed.

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Posted by :Tour Operator India | September 5, 2006 11:41 AM

 

The electronics show in Las Vegas was amazing,but it was too long ago and I can't remember most of the details.

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Posted by :ppc management | December 4, 2007 1:17 PM

 

LOL, I was on an escorted tour in Greece and Portugal and missed that show, is there a video of the keynote anywhere?

Posted by :Travel Guy | March 31, 2008 3:55 AM

 

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