Bill "Ali" Gates versus Steve "Frazier" Ballmer
Bill Gates threw a knock out punch to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) crowd in his pre-CES keynote address, bringing digital living to the center ring. Gates demonstrated his vision of the future, including the Tablet PC, Media Center PC, smartphones, Xbox 360, Windows Live, and Windows Vista. According to Gates, information will flow from different hardware devices, filtered by the personalization requirements of the user - all driven by Microsoft software.
Round One
Gates starts off with his vision of a home PC, with one large panel. Children drawings are moved around as he hurriedly moved to the idea of information being moved into the smartphone and over to an office. The future office desk includes three large monitors. No, that description is not adequate – L A R G E panels dwarfed Gates as he sat with his back to the audience. He demonstrated a conference call and easily allowing people to share ideas and thoughts about the news story of the day. The demonstration includes a cool desk available in the future airport, allowing email and other information to be arranged. I was not too excited and still hopeful of more excitement.
Round Two
Never before shown bits of Windows Vista were presented during the keynote. Now, my adrenaline was flowing. Aaron Wordman, the product manager, demonstrated the live preview features, rolodex, sidebar, sideshow, search features, quick tab browsing, and parental controls. Each feature demonstrated to the crowd reinforced that none of my hardware is going to be adequate for Gates vision of the future office. Yes, folks, the time is quickly approaching for me to look for new dual core systems for the desktop and a faster, beefier Tablet PC for mobility. Round two ended with Mr. Wordman showing off the demo of the new flight simulator. A boring helicopter ride took off from a ship. Yawn.
Round Three
Music was blaring the moment we entered the theater. And music was center stage for demonstrating Windows Vista Media Center. MTv and Microsoft announced a partnership, bringing a new experience for music lovers everywhere. A surprise visit by Justin Timberlake kicked off the Microsoft-MTv Urge partnership, in which Mr. Timberlake gave his testimonial of why we will all love Urge. Yep, personalized sound tracks and suggested music from a huge community membership. After the announcement, Bill Gates spit out two words - "Pretty Cool." Another punch thrown.
Round Four
Two new technologies were discussed for the Tablet PC: personalization of the handwriting will come to the Tablet PC recognition and new digitizers will be used. The Gateway CX200 was shown to the audience. The final punch drove the concept OneNote will drive the product to the mainstream. This round was a fast dance.
Round Five
Windows Live Messenger will include a new activities feature, allowing the user to request for help from a community of users. I started to drift into a slumber. The demonstration was to propel me off my feet and yell - "I gotta have Windows!" Instead, I yawned. Yes, I chuckled when the Windows Live did not connect to the community the first time but I am really not interested in other people's opinions about what I should watch or listen to on television.
Round Six
Just as I was staggering - and paying more attention to the cell phone going off behind me - Windows Vista Media Center features were being presented. The HD-DVD movie was being shown and my attention was not on the presenter. Nothing seemed interesting until we were told digital cable will now be natively received. I am awake. Cool.
Round Seven - Final Round
Nothing would be complete without Microsoft bragging about the Xbox 360. I do not own one but am now thinking about it - and not because of the silly Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates demonstrating the soon to be released fight game. No, the Xbox is an extension of the television - and that is cool. As Gates and Ballmer were poorly acting out their childhood dreams of being boxers - I was wondering how on earth I would be able to purchase an Xbox 360. Millions have already been shipped and sold.
Drats. I am out cold on the mat - too slow to realize that Gates convinced me Microsoft software is vital to my life. As much as I love Linux, Apple iPod, and alternative browsers - I am now curious about Microsoft's vision. Will this future start to be reality? Now, that would be cool !