Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates bid the Consumer Electronics Show a bittersweet farewell as he opened it for the last time in his legendary career. After showing a cool video of what he'll do after stepping down from Microsoft, Gates talked about the next 10 years in the electronics scene, earmarking touch screen, faster, and more accessible connectivity, and HD technology as the future's pillars. Head on to the full article for more details.

It's official: Microsoft will bring out the big guns in CES 2008 as Bill Gates and Robbie Bach take center stage with keynote addresses. This should provide a nice blast-off for an event which never fails to deliver glimpses of the latest in the gadgets scene. Are we expecting big announcements? You bet. Read the full article for more information on Microsoft's CES 2008 presence.

First it was Microsoft relenting to the demands of the bereaved many and making the necessary adjustments to its policy regarding fixing consoles with the Red Ring of Death. Then it was Robbie Bach selling off US$6.8 million worth of shares at the height of the Red Ring frenzy.

Now, another stunning development - Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President of the Xbox 360/Internet Entertainment business division of Microsoft, has just been confirmed to have resigned from his position, with former Electronic Arts Inc. President Don Mattrick to take his place. This was the shocker that Microsoft itself announced through a press release.

So what made him go? Before we start pointing fingers at a particular crimson ring of light, it's not the reason at all - or so the announcement says. No, Peter Moore's resigning for personal reasons, deciding to move his family back to the Bay Area.

It seems that he's also secured another opportunity in the video games industry - what opportunity, we don't have any info as of yet.

What about Microsoft? Well, they're certainly sad that he's leaving but they don't seem to be that worried that one of their very staunch supporters - namely, the guy who got a Halo tattoo on his arm - left, as they're looking forward to Don Mattrick's experience and management savvy. Robbie Bach and his thoughts on the matter, verbatim:

Peter has contributed enormously to the games business since joining Microsoft in 2003 and we are sad to see him go...While Peter will certainly be missed, we are delighted to have one of the industry's most talented and passionate veterans on board to lead the business.

While we're certainly relieved that Microsoft's already found a replacement for ol' Peter, we also can't help but wonder how the Xbox 360 will fare without him. Time will only tell. Updates as we get them.

Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today that it has finally found the replacement for former president Doug Lowenstein in the person of Michael D. Gallagher.

Prior to this, the trade group representing U.S. computer and video game publishers went without a leader for almost five months. Gallagher used to be the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information is currently the Communications Practice chair at leading international law firm Perkins Coie.

His academic background includes a degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley as well as Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles. ESA Board of Directors Chair Robbie Bach had this to say:

Mike's outstanding technology, policy, and government relations experience makes him a strong fit for the ESA, where issues like intellectual property, self-regulation, and industry social and economic contributions are at the forefront of the agenda.

It should be remembered that Lowenstein fired some shots at the DICE Summit saying that he is sick and tired of the people in the video game industry sitting on their hands and letting others do the hard work. The former president was particularly articulate about the seeming lack of participation by the industry in pushing for video game-related legislation.

Despite the scathing comments from the ESA's former head, it looks like Gallagher is quite happy and excited to man the position. Here's what the newly-named president, who will begin his term later this month, said:

It is a privilege to represent the dynamic entertainment software industry. From consoles and PCs to handhelds and broadband enabled cell phones -- the business is poised for tremendous growth. I look forward to working with federal and state leaders to foster an environment where the industry and its consumers can thrive.

And now, more news on the Live Anywhere feature for the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. We've just picked up a CES video demonstrating this function, which allows your console to go multiplayer alongside your PC. In the said vid, the demonstrators (one was Robbie Bach) showed the PC's Windows Vista interface for Live via 360 controller, which handles very much like the 360's Xbox Live.

The video will also be demonstrating the other features that will be ported over from the console's Live, such as the friends list feature, and your capability to track whatever your said buddy's playing at the moment. For the video, the Live games of choice were Uno, and Geometry Wars. See source link if this video does a Windows ME....

So does anybody want to tackle the mother of all interviews over at the Mercury News website? Robbie Bach (Robert J. Bach, 44 year old male, married with 3 children, President of Entertainment and Devices Division of Microsoft Corporation - that's Games for Windows, Zune, and Xbox 360) said a lot during the looooooong one-hour interview and there's some interesting stuff.

We'll summarize each main point. If you don't like what you read or you disagree, don't blame us - we're just paraphrasing the guy...

So here's the world according to Robbie Bach:

PSP/DS killer, Zune, overstretching, and Sony. Microsoft always prioritizes its resources. Instead of going for a GameBoy or PSP killer, they went for an iPod killer because the iPod market is a "significant marketplace." Besides, their gaming people should focus on the Xbox 360 instead of a handheld gaming device. Sony is "spread really thin" - PSP vs. DS, PS3 vs. Wii and 360. Microsoft didn't want that kind of strain.

Bottom line: Zune is like Xbox. Millions of dollars invested. Lots of people. But is every expense really a cost? Some developments benefit other projects, for example. It's all an accounting question. Right now it's hard to track.

Gaming: content. Microsoft has "a great line-up of games." Viva Piñata, Gears of War, Need for Speed: Carbon, the Tom Clancy titles, Call of Duty 3, and lots more coming down the tubes.

Gaming: value and availability. Console is at $299 and $399 (US dollars). Consumers looking for a game console will go logical: what is affordable and what is available.

What they mean by "shipped." When Microsoft says "shipped" that means it's left the Memphis distribution warehouse and is headed to a retailer. When Sony says "shipped" that means it's left the factory. That's a six-week to eight-week lag between what the two companies call "shipped." Microsoft has close to 10 million shipped.

Microsoft FTW. "Where's the best content? Is it cross-platform? Where was it first developed?" and "You have to ask the question, over the life cycle, who has the cost advantage? Who can price most effectively? Who can reach the price points quicker?" Don't forget Xbox Live. And most game publishers do their initial development work on the Xbox 360.

That's only half of it. More about the Xbox 720, money, and Halo after the jump. Just click on the "Full Article" link below to read on...