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Microsoft's 2011 CES keynote (live blog)

At this year's keynote, the topics ran the gamut from Windows Phone 7 to the Xbox and Avatar Kinect to ARM processors and system-on-a-chip technology.

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Josh Lowensohn Former Senior Writer
Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.
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Josh Lowensohn
Steve Ballmer, a la Avatar Kinect.
Steve Ballmer, a la Avatar Kinect.

Wednesday evening was the occasion for Microsoft's traditional CES keynote kick-off.

As usual, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage to demonstrate hardware and software from Microsoft and its partners. At this year's keynote, the topics ran the gamut from Windows Phone 7 to the Xbox and Avatar Kinect to ARM processors and system-on-a-chip technology.

(Last year's keynote had Ballmer talking up Windows 7, while demoing the Office 2010 suite and Halo: Reach for the Xbox 360. That keynote was also where we first laid eyes on HP's Slate 500 device--some 10 months before proper details of the device surfaced.)

As with the rest of our live coverage at CES 2011, we used Cover it Live to bring you news and photos from the press conference--you can catch a replay below. You can also watch a live Webcast of the keynote through Microsoft's CES news site.

Editors' note: The original, pre-event version of this story was published January 4 at 4:30 p.m. PT.