Billy G confirmed for CES 08

THE CONSUMER Electronics Association has confirmed that Microsoft bad boy Bill Gates will be giving his usual pre-CES keynote this year - making for 10 years in a row, and likely a final farewell as he prepares to vacate his position at Microsoft.

Gates spent this year's speech, unsurprisingly, focusing on the consumer launch of Windows Vista. With that now in the bag, we're not quite sure what he intends to do with next year's speech, athough we suspect it's likely he'll paint a rosy future for Microsoft post-retirement.

While he is often ridiculed for his geeky demeanor and slight on-stage hesitance, there's no doubt that Bill's speeches have been the highlight of many a CES, notably his on-screen Xbox duel with Steve Ballmer back in 2005.

Who can the CEA rustle up for CES 09? The only person with more to offer attendees than Gates is, arguably His Steveness. But we rather think such a lineup is unlikely. µ