Microsoft bids adieu to CES

week in review As promised, Microsoft delivered its final opening keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show--and had little to say.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer did a lot of shouting and talking, but didn't say anything too substantive in his final keynote address, opting instead to run through a number of its upcoming--but previously announced--projects, from Windows Phone to Windows 8. The company, however, did say it would bring the Xbox 360 peripheral Kinect to Windows on February 1, and Ballmer said the motion-sensor device has sold 18 million units, offering up just that little nugget.

Microsoft, which has been a mainstay attraction at the show, announced in December that the 2012 CES would be its last as opening keynote presenter and a floor exhibitor.
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But Microsoft wasn't the only attraction in town. Intel took the wraps off its plans to get its chips into smartphones and tablets this year, announcing deals with Lenovo and Motorola. And Dell introduced a new ultrabook on the way that makes use of aluminum and carbon fiber.

But perhaps the most unusual keynote was delivered by Dish, which announced a new DVR system and high-speed satellite broadband service. The company brought a real live kangaroo on stage to help promote "Hopper," a new multiroom DVR that, with the help of "Joey" units, will let people watch recorded programs on TVs throughout their house.
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