Tag Archives: Steve Ballmer

Computers

Man the lifeboats! The Surface RTitanic is sinking fast

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Amy Hood, CFO of MicrosoftMicrosoft
Amy Hood, CFO of Microsoft.

Microsoft reported fourth-quarter revenues Thursday that came in nearly a billion dollars less than what analysts expected, thanks to a

As dynamic, productive, and exciting has Microsoft has tried to make the Surface RT tablet out to be, consumers can’t shake the perception that it’s just a bland bit of overpriced plastic that can do little more than surf the Web.

Unfair? Maybe so. But as Wall Street digests that distasteful reality, so too should Microsoft’s marketing department. In fact, it’s eventually going to realize that as painful as the price cuts on the Surface RT have gone, they didn’t go nearly far enough.

Microsoft
Amy Hood, CFO of Microsoft.

Microsoft reported fourth-quarter revenues Thursday that came in nearly a billion dollars less than what analysts expected, thanks to a $900 million writedown of the Surface RT tablet. Amy “Red Riding” Hood, Microsoft’s new chief financial officer, was seemingly thrown to Wall Street’s wolves, as chief executive Steve Ballmer and other chief executives were absent from the call—unlike the packed house that accompanied the “One Microsoft” reorganization. To Hood’s credit, she dodged nimbly, scattering bland crumbs of data that the analysts meekly accepted.

It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out how many Surface RT tablets the writedown represented: $900 million divided by the per-unit price cuts—equating to $150 for each version of the Surface RT—will equal the number of Surface RT tablets sitting idle on Microsoft’s shelves, said Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at PCWorld

Computers

Ballmer outlines the road ahead for Microsoft Office, Skype, 'Bing Now'

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According to Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, the future of Microsoft involves such things as “living” documents, the Microsoft equivalent of “Google Now,” a blurring of email and chat, and the ability to add a gaming layer to everyday activities.

It’s an ambitious vision, and Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer laid it all out in a strategy document that accompanied his “One Microsoft” memo outlining an ambitious company reorganization. While most of the early attention paid to Microsoft’s strategy correctly focused on what the reorganization means for the short term, it’s worth focusing on what the company has in store for the longer-term future of its product groups, too.

Ballmer made much of the fact that Microsoft is reorganizing around devices and services and moving away from being a purely software-driven business. But Microsoft was founded on identifying and meeting key needs that it can address, such as productivity, collaboration, and fun. What Ballmer’s document appears to do is essentially remix those concepts, combining them in much the same way painters mix primary colors together, to develop new and profitable combinations of technologies.

Ballmer addresses five key areas: the future of documents, anticipatory data, the future of social, gaming, and the “shell” of the Windows interface.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at PCWorld

News, Politics, Government

The Blockbuster Microsoft Business That Nobody Ever Seems To Talk About

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By Greg Satell, Contributor

I think I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m a big fan of how has run their business over the past several years. If you operate an enterprise long enough, you’re bound to miss some twists and turns, such as Steve Ballmer’s embarrassing dismissal of the iPhone as a $500 subsidized item in 2007, but it takes a great organization to recognize a mistake, pivot and come out swinging. And it seems like that’s just what Microsoft has done.  Last week, they posted another strong earnings release.  Revenues were up 18% and operating earnings rose 19%, even after its $9 billion per year R&D program was accounted for. Still, Microsoft is a company that inspires a lot of passion on both sides and there is enough data around to please advocates and detractors. While the legacy Windows and Business Divisions (mostly driven by its Office software suite) continue to print money, the high profile entertainment and online divisions that are made up largely of Xbox and Bing, respectively, continue to grow, but aren’t really making any money. So it would be tempting to assume that Microsoft is really two businesses.  One, made up of former monopolies struggling to remain relevant and another made up of nascent products that haven’t proven they can deliver to the bottom line. However, what is often lost in the mix is “Servers and Tools,” Microsoft’s third largest division, which consistently achieves double digit growth and will likely rack up about $20 billion in revenues this year while operating at impressive 40% margins.  It is also where the bulk of that massive R&D budget is probably going. The Servers and Tools unit is hard to describe.  It is really a hodgepodge of different products including server software, Visual Studio, Sharepoint and consulting services.  All in all, it includes no less that six separate billion dollar businesses. Also hidden in the weeds of the Servers and Tools division is Azure, the cloud computing platform that competes with Amazon’s AWS and is likely key to Microsoft’s long term future.  If, as many critics would have us believe, Windows does not survive, it’s not hard to see how Azure could take its place. However, most likely, Azure represents a mere bridge from the present paradigm in which the operating system drives the performance of our devices to the next digital paradigm where our devices become mere conduits for Big Data and artificial intelligence platforms that are run from the cloud. So while Microsoft’s legacy businesses continue to mint cash and its nascent business continue to show potential, the company’s greatest asset may just be the one that nobody ever talks about.

From: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2013/04/22/the-blockbuster-microsoft-business-that-nobody-ever-seems-to-talk-about/

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Did Microsoft Just Shoot Down a Surface Phone?

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By Evan Niu, CFA, The Motley Fool

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Following a big, bold bet on first-party tablets, a Surface Phone simply seems inevitable. If it is pursuing such a device, Microsoft is playing it close to the chest. At AllThingsD’s Dive Into Mobile conference earlier this week, Windows Phone exec Terry Myerson downplayed the idea of the software giant jumping directly into the smartphone hardware ring.

Myerson said the only reason the company would do so would be if current hardware partners like Nokia or HTC weren’t providing an experience in line with Microsoft’s standards. Nokia’s been a “great partner” thus far, according to the exec, and he’s happy with the Windows Phones that Nokia has in its pipeline.

Still, just because Microsoft may not need to get into smartphone hardware yet doesn’t mean it’s not prepared to. In November, The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft was exploring first-party smartphone designs with Asian component suppliers. Preliminary steps, but steps nonetheless.

Steve Ballmer has made it quite clear that Microsoft’s future is becoming a devices-and-services company, which is hard to do without more devices. Ballmer also specifically said that Microsoft would “obviously” jump into other hardware markets if there were “opportunities to set a new standard.”

In tablets, Surface RT launched alongside Windows 8, so Microsoft didn’t really even give OEMs a chance to prove themselves before the company stepped up. In smartphones, Nokia is the dominant seller of Windows Phones, selling nearly three-quarters of all smartphones on that platform in the fourth quarter.

Nokia has even acknowledged the inherent risk, even if CEO Stephen Elop has said Microsoft’s entry could serve as a “stimulant” for the platform. For example, this is listed as a risk factor in Nokia’s most recent annual report:

Microsoft may make strategic decisions or changes that may be detrimental to us. For example, in addition to the Surface tablet, Microsoft may broaden its strategy to sell other mobile devices under its own brand, including smartphones. This could lead Microsoft to focus more on their own devices and less on mobile devices of other manufacturers that operate on the Windows Phone platform, including Nokia.

I interpret Myerson’s comments as indications that Microsoft isn’t planning on pulling the smartphone trigger anytime soon (a 7-inch Surface is more pressing), but that doesn’t mean it can’t be locked and loaded should the need arise.

It’s been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who’ve watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He’s also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.

From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/17/did-microsoft-just-shoot-down-a-surface-phone/

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

The Chinese Media Bashing Turns From Apple to Microsoft

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By Evan Niu, CFA, The Motley Fool

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First, there was Apple . Next, there was Microsoft . No, I’m not just talking about the initial rise of the PC decades ago; I’m referring to the Chinese media bashing tech companies over warranty practices.

For the latter half of March, state-owned CCTV in China ran a full-fledged smear campaign against the Mac maker, alleging that the company’s warranty practices favored consumers in other countries and that Chinese buyers of Apple gear were being treated unfavorably, particularly when it came to iPhone replacements.

Since China is Apple’s second-largest market by revenue with $26.6 billion in trailing-12-month sales, the company rightfully acted quickly, with CEO Tim Cook personally issuing an apology appealing directly to the Chinese public. In it, Cook acknowledged that there had been some miscommunication that could have contributed to the perception that Apple was being arrogant in not responding to media requests (which is really just standard practice for Apple). The apology was well received, and the Chinese media almost immediately changed its tune, praising Apple’s prompt reply.

Bloomberg reports that China‘s state-owned radio, China National Radio, is now targeting Microsoft. The issue at the heart of the attacks again relates to warranty practices, this time for the software giant’s Surface tablet. The device should be considered in the same category as notebook computers, in which case local laws require a one-year repair warranty covering the entire device along with a two-year warranty for crucial components. Microsoft currently only offers a one-year warranty for both.

A China National Radio reporter said the two stories were not related.

The big difference is that Microsoft has a lot less to lose than Apple does. Microsoft has always had difficulty in China due to rampant software piracy. Surface launched in China in October, and Microsoft’s sales can’t have grown that much since then (although Microsoft doesn’t disclose Surface figures).

The media bashing Surface may sting Microsoft, but the Middle Kingdom isn’t nearly as important to Steve Ballmer as it is to Tim Cook. Don’t expect any apologies from Ballmer.

It’s been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who’ve watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He’s also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.

var FoolAnalyticsData = FoolAnalyticsData || []; …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Duke Energy CEO Joins Push Urging Congress to Cut Debt

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By Justin Loiseau, The Motley Fool

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Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers is calling on people to encourage federal lawmakers to “take immediate action to develop a more sustainable financial strategy for the country.”

Rogers released a statement today announcing he has joined the nonpartisan group Campaign to Fix the Debt.

“At more than $11.8 trillion, the size of our publicly held national debt currently amounts to more than 73% of our entire economy, and is set to hit 100% by the early 2030s,” Rogers said in his statement. “A debt burden of this magnitude could increase interest rates, inflation and unemployment, and could even lead to a debt-fueled fiscal crisis.”

The Campaign to Fix the Debt is a “non-partisan movement to put America on a better fiscal and economic path.” Among the group’s 350,000 members are more than 170 members of the CEO Fiscal Leadership Council. Notable names include Microsoft‘s Steve Ballmer, General Electric‘s Jeffrey Immelt, and Goldman Sachs‘ Lloyd Blankfein.

In his statement, Rogers urges Washington to consider sustainability, efficiency, reliability, “smart” spending cuts , and “comprehensive” tax reform .

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The article Duke Energy CEO Joins Push Urging Congress to Cut Debt originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Justin Loiseau owns shares of General Electric Company. You can follow him on Twitter, @TMFJLo, and on Motley Fool CAPS, @TMFJLo.
The Motley Fool recommends Goldman Sachs. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric Company and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Microsoft's Leadership Is Still Failing

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By Richard Saintvilus, The Motley Fool

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Microsoft’s

(NASDAQ: MSFT) CEO, Steve Ballmer once said, “The launch of Windows 8 is the beginning of a new era at Microsoft. Investments we’ve made over a number of years are now coming together to create a future of exceptional devices and services, with tremendous opportunity for our customers, developers, and partners.”

All of that sounded great when I first heard it. But many Wall Street analysts never bought into the hoopla. And, as evidenced by the disappointing sales figures for Surface and Windows 8, it seems consumers never really “bought it,” either.

Clearly, Microsoft’s desire to reinvent itself is not going as well as the company had hoped. In fact, I’m not holding my breath to see any drastic changes in the foreseeable future. For that matter, neither is the Street.

Aside from the fact that there’s a gross dislike for the company’s management by analysts, proud supporters of Microsoft have begun to lose patience. Microsoft is still getting punished because it’s not Apple, a company whose hardware focus has led to vast growth in the past decade. Fairly or unfairly, that’s reality. Unfortunately, management has fallen prey to this.

While the company has been trying to be what the Street wants it to be, Microsoft has made the mistake of taking its eye off what it’s truly good at. Microsoft now wants to be a hardware company, and thinks it can take Apple and Samsung head-on.

Unfortunately, the company is making this transition when everyone else has begun to realize that “software is the new hardware.” Even Cisco has begun to shed its hardware dependence, and is now evolving toward software-defined-networking. Just imagine if Microsoft was able to capitalize on its software expertise to get into the networking business.

Microsoft would be able to control the operating systems and the data that travel across network enterprises. While Cisco would still remain dominant, Microsoft would be a legitimate threat. All Microsoft would have to do is pick-off one of Cisco’s chief rivals. F5 Networks or Juniper, which has been trying to sell off some assets and is led by a former Microsoft executive, might be great targets. Microsoft has already had some success in virtulalization, and we see its main rival in the space, VMware, making its own moves into software-defined networking. 

Then again, this is Microsoft’s management we’re talking about here. Ballmer would not dare do something so drastic or game changing. Instead, the company prefers to focus on personal computers, which Microsoft still relies upon for 80% of its business. This is despite the fact that PCs are dying a slow death.

Meanwhile, the cloud market is projected to grow by $177 billion over the next two years. Here, too, Microsoft has appeared too slow to respond to the likes of Oracle and Salesforce.com. Instead, Ballmer has been trying to fight Apple in tablets and phones …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Video Gaming

IGN UK Podcast #180: Scavenging Through the Trash Can

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There are some things you’ll regret saying until the day you die. Take the poor Microsoft creative director whose Twitter meltdown over the rumoured always-connect next-gen Xbox, which was a topic on this week’s podcast – he’ll definitely regret that when he’s hauled in front of Steve Ballmer. But thankfully the slack-jawed IGN UK crew regret very little of what they say, especially when it comes to their latest collective infatuation, Bioshock Infinite.

Alex, Chris, Stu and Keza also round-up the week’s hottest news and cast their eyes over the upcoming games and movies, so you know what to spend your hard-earned on this weekend.

So what are you waiting for? Treat those gorgeous ears of your right now.

Continue reading…

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Video Games

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Neither Apple Nor Microsoft Are Buying Netflix

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By Rick Munarriz, The Motley Fool

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Netflix would apparently look good on the arm of Apple or Microsoft .

Jim Cramer played up the video service as a potential acquisition target on CNBC’s Mad Money show on Monday night.

However, instead of going the more common Amazon.com route, Cramer only singled out Apple and Microsoft as logical buyers.

Tying the knot with Netflix
Apple, according to Cramer, “needs a mobile content offering as well as something proprietary to run on Apple TV.”

He also suggests that Apple needs to make a meaty acquisition to wake up its freefalling shares: “How do we reverse that? Netflix!”

Cramer also argues that Microsoft should bid $13 billion for Netflix, a 30% premium to where it is now.

“Don’t rule it out,” he argues. “Why should this monster stay independent with its 27 million subscribers and Steve Ballmer desperate to leave a legacy?”

Both possibilities make sense, but they seem flawed after thinking them through.

Apple is being widely criticized for stashing $137 billion in cash as growth prospects peel away. The theory that the iEverything titan needs something proprietary for Apple TV isn’t necessarily a good reason to buy Netflix. If the plan is to tie Netflix only to Apple TV owners, it would be merely keeping a Ferrari in the garage. Netflix’s global appeal is easy accessibility, and that means not tethering it to any particular platform. Anything that would limit Netflix’s subscriber count would also limit its ability to pay for content.

Microsoft makes more sense, especially since it was pretty suspicious when Netflix CEO Reed Hastings stepped down from Microsoft’s board last year. There must have been something there.

However, the notion that Microsoft can sweep Netflix away for $13 billion is poorly conceived. A year ago, Netflix could’ve been had for half that price. Its stock was out of favor. Now that analysts are jacking up targets and subscribers are topping 33 million globally, do you really think Netflix and its shareholders will consider an exit strategy?

Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon could’ve probably had Netflix at the nadir of the Qwikster fiasco. They would have been welcomed as saviors.

They would’ve gotten a great price. Apple would make sure that the iOS Netflix app would be the best. Amazon could retire its less popular Amazon Prime streaming offering. Microsoft could’ve kept a cool toy from its rivals, making it the cornerstone of the new Xbox experience.

However, it’s too late to buy Netflix. The only ones buying Netflix now are tomorrow’s investors.

Recommended reading
The tumultuous performance of Netflix shares since the summer of 2011 has caused headaches for many devoted shareholders. While the company’s first-mover status is often viewed as a competitive advantage, the opportunities in streaming media have brought some new, deep-pocketed rivals looking for their piece of a growing pie. Can Netflix fend off this burgeoning competition, and will its international growth aspirations really pay off? These are must-know issues for investors, which …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Why Microsoft's Tablet Is Officially a Flop

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By Caroline Bennett, The Motley Fool

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Remember when Microsoft unveiled the Surface last year? Ads for its answer to Apple‘s iPad seemed to be everywhere, with business-casual breakdancers flying across TV screens, the Internet, billboards, and pretty much any other place you can stick a commercial. Given how heavily plugged it was, you might think the slick new tablet would perform outstandingly since its October release.

You would be very wrong.

The Surface’s sales figures are out, and they’re far below Microsoft’s expectations. Should Microsoft be concerned, and will this affect its strength as an investment?

Breaking down the stats
According to Bloomberg, Microsoft originally purchased 3 million Surfaces from its manufacturers, and within the past five months, the company has sold only 1.5 million. Ouch.

Out of the total amount of Surfaces sold, 0.4 million units have been the Surface Pro, while 1.1 million have been the cheaper Surface RT. This might look like a depressing stat for the Pro, but the more expensive version was released four months after the RT, and so far the Pro is selling at a faster rate. The Pro has sold 0.4 million units in little over a month, while it took five months for the Surface RT to sell 2.75 times that amount.

If the Pro and RT continue at this rate, Microsoft will be able to sell off the rest of its Surface inventory by October. But when Apple is selling 58.31 million iPads annually, Microsoft’s Surface is hardly taking a bite out of the market share.

But what I really want to do is make pens
Surface’s sales stats aren’t good news for Microsoft’s foray into hardware, but the tech giant’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, doesn’t appear to be worried. In a recent interview with MIT’s Technology Review, Ballmer said he was “super-glad [Microsoft] did Surface,” but that the company was trying to use this product as a gateway to a new idea: the computerized pen.

Huh?

“We’ve been talking about pen computing for years, but it was hard to do that with OEMs who were not equally incentivized,” Ballmer said. “Now we’re trying to lead a little bit with Surface Pro. We have a model that allows OEMs to move with us.” In other words, Microsoft created Surface to be a playing field for the company’s new ambitious device.

Going beneath the Surface
These disappointing Surface statistics are certainly a loss for Microsoft, but that’s no reason to rule out the company. Internet Explorer is still the dominant force in Web browsers, and Microsoft Office Suite is practically the default administrative tool belt for offices everywhere. And now, according to its CEO, the company’s tablet was less an attempt to rip off Apple’s iPad and more a springboard for a new innovation. We’ll see how this holds up in time. For now, it’s hard to deny that the Surface looks and acts like an iPad, but certainly doesn’t sell like one.

It’s been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who’ve …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

1 Dividend to Buy, 1 Dividend to Sell

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By Brendan Byrnes and Andrew Tonner, The Motley Fool

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Dividends are one of the most important things many investors consider when evaluating a stock. Ford‘s dividend, after recently doubling it, sits at about 3%. Tech giant Microsoft  has a slight edge over Ford in this category at 3.3%. 

But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the better buy. Analyst Brendan Byrnes explains below why Ford still looks attractive despite it’s recent run-up. The stock trades below 10 times earnings, and has some tailwinds in the two biggest auto markets in the world, China and The United States. U.S. auto sales are still well below levels that we saw in the year 2000, and Ford has been investing heavily and gaining inroads in China. 

Microsoft, meanwhile, is a stock that analyst Andrew Tonner is bearish on. Steve Ballmer‘s history of poor capital allocation decisions, combined with the company largely missing the mobile revolution are two big reasons Andrew is steering clear of this stock.

Check out the video and transcript below for more on these two stocks, and the reasoning behind the bullish and bearish thesis. 

Taking a more in-depth view, Ford has been performing incredibly well as a company over the past few years — it’s making good vehicles, is consistently profitable, recently reinstated its dividend, and has done a remarkable job paying down its debt. But Ford’s stock still looks cheap despite the recent run-up. Does this create an incredible buying opportunity, or are there hidden risks with the stock that investors need to know about? To answer that, one of our top equity analysts has compiled a premium research report with in-depth analysis on whether Ford is a buy right now, and why. Simply click here to get instant access to this premium report.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

News, Politics, Government

Why Did HTC Cripple The HTC 8S Budget Windows Phone?

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By Ewan Spence, Contributor

Right now, if I could ask HTC one question, it would be this. After launching the HTC Windows Phone 8X to critical acclaim last year; after having it chosen as the signature Windows Phone device by Steve Ballmer; after placing a significant amount of your company’s dwindling resources behind Windows Phone 8; why did you cripple the follow-up device that would capitalise on all that goodwill? …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

News, Politics, Government

The Impossible Leadership Position of Apple Inc

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By Haydn Shaughnessy, Contributor So Apple profits were flat (sort of) and iPhone sales were disappointing. Still, as Charles Ferguson points out in The Guardian, Apple’s figures are stellar. You would want to be Tim Cook way more than you’d want to be Steve Ballmer. Revenues at $54.5bn, an 18% increase over the same quarter last year, and profits of $13.1bn.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

News, Politics, Government

So Does This Make Steve Ballmer A Good CEO Or A Bad One For Microsoft?

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By Tim Worstall, Contributor There’s a new book about Microsoft on the way and one of the central claims is that Steve Ballmer culls those who might become rivals to his position as CEO. Which is an interesting enough evaluation in itself but we do then have to go on and ask the question of whether this makes him a good CEO or a bad one? Here’s the heart of what is being said: Kempin charges Ballmer with purposefully ousting any executives with potential to wrest him from the CEO seat, which he has occupied since 2000.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

News, Politics, Government

Windows Phone On Course To Sell One Million Handsets Per Week

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By Ewan Spence, Contributor While we don’t have any solid numbers on Windows Phone sales during Q4, we do have two data points courtesy of Steve Ballmer and some enthusiastic speeches. And when you look over those numbers, Windows Phone is approaching a rather nice milestone of selling one million handsets per week.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

News, Politics, Government

Microsoft CEO Buying Sacramento Kings For $500 Million

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By Mike Ozanian, Forbes Staff Microsoft CEO and billionaire Steve Ballmer and San Francisco hedge fund manager Chris Hanson are leading a group that will pay $500 million to buy the NBA’s Sacramento Kings from the Maloof family and move the team to Seattle, according to Yahoo! LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 13: Palms Casino Resort President […]
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Computers

Microsoft's CES no-show: Epic fail or epic foresight?

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It should’ve been awkward. This year’s CES is the first show since Microsoft’s amicable split with the Consumer Electronics Association. Redmond severed deep ties, giving up an annual booth in a marquee floor spot, and sidelining the dynamic duo of Ballmer and Gates, who had warmed up the crowd at 15 of the past 18 opening keynotes. Going in to this year’s show, we expected the ambiance to match that first uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinner after your parents get divorced.

Boy, were we wrong. Or rather, tales of Microsoft’s departure have been greatly exaggerated—though the company’s reduced presence may just be a sign of things to come for CES.

A non-conspicuous absence

The HiSense booth occupying the front-and-center position once held by Microsoft’s mammoth displays may stick out like a sore thumb to longtime attendees, but if you manage to overlook that, you’d almost swear Microsoft is still the belle of the CES ball.

Steve Ballmer put in a surprise appearance at Qualcomm’s opening keynote, passing the metaphorical torch. Ballmer talked up ARM-powered Windows devices with his usual exuberance, while Windows CFO/CMO Tami Reller took the stage at a JP Morgan Tech Forum to announce that the company has sold 60 million Windows 8 licenses to date. She didn’t reveal how many of those licenses have landed in the laps of actual users, but those are the first hard(ish) adoption numbers Microsoft has provided since Window’s 8’s one-month mark.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Source: FULL ARTICLE at PCWorld