Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's keynote last night was one of the most anticipated events of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. It was expected that he would unveil a device to compete with a supposedly upcoming tablet from Apple, but people anticipating such news were met with the unveiling of a different device - the HP Windows 7 slate device, which apparently doesn't live up to some of the tech crowd's expectations.

Ballmer says the device is more powerful than a phone, and "almost as powerful" as a PC. You can't get too much out of it, but here's an official video of the device that's floating around:

The device will be available some time later this year.

In addition to this, Microsoft-related news to come out of CES includes:

- The Sony VAIO L all-in-one laptop built for HD entertainment and multimedia content creation, and including a 24-inch touchscreen (Windows 7)

- The Lenovo A300, one of the thinnest PCs yet at just 18mm, but with a 21.5-inch HD widescreen LED display (Windows 7)

- Microsoft and HP are teaming up on search and portal experiences. Bing will be the default search engine, and MSN the default homepage on HP PCs in 42 countries.

- Ballmer announced the upcoming exclusive availability of the HTC HD2 in partnership with T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC.

- Microsoft Mediaroom 2.0, the next version of its Internet Protocol Television solution for service providers

- Big games coming to XBox: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Halo Reach, Conviction, Crackdown 2, Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, and Fable 3

- Game Room on Xbox LIVE, which Microsoft says will be the place to relive the glory days of arcade games, with over 1000 games being released throughout the next three years

- "Project Natal," the controller-free gaming experience that tracks movement of the body and facial expressions, and responds to your voice, scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010

"We've reached a point with technology where it's very feasible to listen to or watch whatever you want, whenever you want, whether on your smartphone, laptop or a connected TV in the comfort of your living room," said Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division President Robbie Bach. "That concept of greater control is compelling to many people. It's all about tying together these disparate technologies into a digital entertainment experience that’s consistent, easy to use and relevant to consumers’ needs."

Watch for more WebProNews coverage of CES, with exclusive video interviews coming soon.
 

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