LAS VEGAS - Microsoft chairman and founder Bill Gates entertained the crowd at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in what is his last appearance at the world's largest technology show. Mr Gates is planning to limit his role in the day-to-day operations of Microsoft starting this July.
Meanwhile at the CES, he told a crowd of 4,000 that the next unique occurrence in the IT industry may well be a second "digital decade." He added that the plethora of televisions and mobile phones available on the market would make computing a part of everyday life.
“During the next digital decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive and more fulfilling in profound and exciting ways,” he said. "The trend here is clear, all media and entertainment will be digital driven. The first digital decade has been tremendously successful."
Gates also presented a spoof of what he would be doing away from Microsoft. A clip showed him trying to lift weights and asking to be included in U2.
Moving onto more serious issues, Gates said computing devices would become increasingly reliant on voice and touch. A case in point was the Microsoft Surface, he added. Gates also said that in coming years personalized applications would drive the industry forward.
“No longer will users have to be the bridge between devices,” said Gates. “You will be able to pick up any device, authenticate who you are, and you'll have access to your information.”
Some of the other announcements made by him included the availability of Microsoft Zune outside of the United States for the first time. Zune will debut in Canada this spring, he added. Furthermore using the Silverlight on-demand service, users could watch the Beijing Olympics this summer.
