How far he's come

Yesterday in Vegas, Bill Gates kicked off the Consumer Electronics Show with a speech on how Microsoft technologies are staples to the workplace, the living room and even the automobile.

Gates pointed out movies are downloadable on the Xbox gaming system. Mediaroom, Microsoft's IPTV software, strives to make living rooms still more interactive.

Windows is even invading furniture. Microsoft's new Surface tables may soon serve as virtual concierges in hotels.

And Synch technology, which allows drivers to listen to music and make phone calls, will be in most US car models in 2009, according to Gates.

In addition to carrying the heavy load of product PR, the keynote served as a farewell. This July, Gates departs his post as chief software architect.