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A few more CES previews and predictions deficient in today. “[D]efinitely underwhelming” is Kara Swisher’s outlook on “the annual egregious gadgetfest in Las Vegas,” as commendably because Macworld in San Francisco.

Mini-Microsoft turns attention off from the layoff scuttlebutt to note that the company has a large amount of negatives piling up. “No in what place to go but up? Opportunity certainly abounds.”

Reuters’ preview suggests that from a gadget point of view, “[t]he focus is credible to be on smaller, more connected and greener devices that can withstand consumers save on bills. That is a change from years past, when companies trafficked in redundancy, offering items such as massive 150-inch TVs that were beyond the fiscal reach of most consumers.”

But there will certainly be plenty of TV and video announcements. In fact, here’s some now:

Adobe and Intel are teaming up to port Flash to Intel’session new purpose-built chips for CE devices in a bid to provide “richer and more seamless Web-based and video viewing experiences through advanced Intel-based cable set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, digital TVs and retail connected AV devices.”

LG is announcing a occupation of “broadband-enabled HDTVs through Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, requiring nay outside device.”

On his CES intend list, Todd Bishop wants to see Microsoft rectify the way people can access Netflix on their Xbox 360s. “Netflix and Microsoft should finish the job and let people browse the well stocked Netflix on-demand catalog on their TVs.”

The Wall Street Journal has the obligatory Internet-TV convergence story — “After more than a decade of disappointment, the goal of marrying television and the Internet seems finally to have being picking up vapor.” Here’s my story updating the trend from CES in 2007.

Original text: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2009/01/05/ces_more_predictions_and_a_first_wave_of_news.html

Stocks in the news Monday

From Standard & Poor’s Equity Research

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Apple (AAPL) shares are higher after the company’s CEO Steve Jobs commented on his loss of weight by dint of. stating that the doctors think they found the reason for his weight loss: a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” Jobs of the proteins his body needs to be of a sound constitution. Jobs has already begun treatment. Investors had been concerned that the reason for Jobs’ weight loss was due to a return of a serious complaint Jobs suffered from a hardly any years ago.

Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPDI) purchases Merck’s (MRK) vaccine testing lab and related equipment. As office of this collaboration, PPDI will be providing MRK through test progression in a continuously ascending gradation and immunogenicity testing services to support MRK’s vaccine portfolio over a period of five years.

Walgreen (WAG) posts 4.9% higher December same-store sales, 11% higher total sales. Posts 8.5% higher December same-store pharmacy sales. Notes worthy of comparison pharmacy sales were hurt by 2.5 percentage points fit to generic drug introductions in last 12 months.

Altera (ALTR) - Wachovia upgrades ALTR to outperform from emporium perform. Wachovia raises its view on the U.S. semiconductor industry to overweight from market weight.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) - Deutsche Bank reportedly cuts estimates and mark price for JPM.

Synovus Financial (SNV) expects fourth quarter loan waste provision of about $350 million, with an estimated charge-off ratio of relating to 3.2%. Says largest component of these elevated charges relates to Atlanta market residential real estate credits. Also expects to increase its lend loss reserve during the quarter, and says it is assessing its goodwill for potential impairment during the fourth quarter. Morgan Keegan downgrades to mart perform from outperform.

Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings (ENDP) - Caris downgrades ENDP to above average from buy.

Navistar International (NAV) sees $5.10-$5.60 fiscal year 2009 EPS, in the world of the departed present Street view of $5.95. Notes weak North American business climate. Believes busy vigor forecast for the U.S. and Canadian retail sales volume for Class 6-8 trucks and school buses for the fiscal year 2009 should total between 244,000 to 256,000 units. Industry volumes totaled 244,100 units in fiscal year 2008; volume was among the lowest in added than 30 years.

Conn’s (CONN) preliminarily estimates that product sales and service maintenance agreement sales rose approximately 15% in December, on same-store sales growth of approximately 5%, resulting in the largest monthly sales volume in its narration. It says consumer electronics sales continued to show strong growth, furniture and mattresses provided solid increases and resource sales were essentially spiritless.

Multi-Fineline Electronix (MFLX) sees first quarter sales of with regard to $215 million and gross margin of 14%-16%. In addition, says its current dealing view indicates that strong customer necessitate for its products is continuing into the advance quarter. It sets 2.25 the masses interest buyback.

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jan2009/pi2009015_239606.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

From Standard & Poor’s Equity Research

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DEUTSCHE BANK CUTS ESTIMATES, TARGET FOR JP MORGAN

Deutsche Bank analyst Mike Mayo says that worsening economic trends should put additional pressure on JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (JPM) lend portfolios (especially cards, home equity, residential, and commercial pledge) as abundantly being of the class who banking industry in general.

Mayo expects commercial bank lend losses to rise from 1.5% to 3% through the extreme point of 2010, in continuance increased percentage of loans with higher losses, greater consumer leverage and sooner problem recognition by banks.

He cuts 2009 EPS estimate by $0.65 to $2.05, and 2010 by means of $0.35 to $2.20, provident higher loss rates and lower revenue. As a result, he cuts $37 target to $34. He rates JPM hold.

WACHOVIA UPGRADES ALTERA, VIEW ON SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

Wachovia analyst David Wong says he’s hopeful that a turn in the semiconductor market is only a few months from home.

Wong says inventory levels are likely to rise at the end of fourth quarter 2008, and again at the end of first quarter 2009. But he’session hopeful that recent aggressive action to control record in the electronic serve instead of chain has paved the way for improvement in inventory levels, perhaps starting in the second quarter 2009.

He says year-over-year sales could begin to make productive in second quarter 2009, and show year-over-year growth by October. He raises the sector to overweight from emporium weight and Altera (ALTR) to outperform from mart perform.

MORGAN KEEGAN DOWNGRADES SYNOVUS FINANCIAL

Morgan Keegan analyst Robert Patten says he cuts Synovus Financial (SNV) to market perform from outperform after prudent conduct forecast fourth separate into parts net chargeoffs to skip over to 3.2% of average loans vs. 1.55% in the third quarer, and look forward to fourth quarter provision charges of $350 million vs. $151 a thousand thousand, which was worse than he had expected.

While little details were provided, Patten expects losses to be driven by residential loan portfolio. Also, he expects the commercial real estate portfolio to tend hitherward under increased stress given the impact of the ongoing recession.

He cuts $0.45 2009 EPS estimate to $0.07 loss.

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jan2009/pi2009015_500851.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

Analysts’ opinions on stocks in the news Monday

From Standard & Poor’s Equity Research

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S&P REITERATES STRONG BUY OPINION ON SHARES OF APPLE (AAPL; 93.66):

AAPL CEO Steve Jobs posts some open letter describing a corporal illness, a weight-loss condition attributed to hormonal imbalance that should be readily treatable. He expects to regain the lost weight by slow proceed and plans to carry on with CEO duties. The board posts a letter of support for Jobs. We believe this unusually frank specification should help converging-point investor attention absent from leadership succession and towards AAPL’sitting keynote address at MacWorld this week and possible product introductions. We support our EPS estimates and 12-month target worth of $127. -T. Smith-CFA

S&P REITERATES SELL OPINION ON SHARES OF SYNOVUS FINANCIAL (SNV; 7.07):

Ahead of Q4 detail, SNV preannounces that its Q4 net chargeoff fixed relation will subsist 3.2% and that it will post $350 million of loss eatables. This is well above our estimate and is likely the result of declining home values combined with SNV’session high level of non-performing assets, a near match high 2.91% of totality assets. We are lowering our ‘08 and ‘09 EPS estimates by $0.48 and $0.12, respectively, to a loss of $0.30 and EPS of $0.04. Based forward these reductions, we now think SNV may have to cut its share. Our target excellence remains $6, a below-historical 0.7X tactile book account. /S. Plesser

S&P REDUCES OPINION ON SHARES OF PEABODY ENERGY TO HOLD FROM BUY (BTU; 25.75):

On a lower volume anticipate, we cut our 2008 EPS rate by $0.12 to $3.15 and 2009’s $0.84 to $4.38. We see lower projected production volumes, based on reduced coal shipments to steel producers, based on weakening demand, slowing shipments out of Australian coal ports, and slightly weaker thermal coal volumes. Though we keep our 2009 pricing forecast, we note that new spot compensation declines may pose a risk for both unpriced 2009 metallurgical coal extension and for 2010 contract pricing. On lower estimates, we cut our target price by $12 to $28 based on relative peer worth. -M. Christy, CFA

S&P REITERATES HOLD OPINION ON PFIZER SHARES (PFE; 18.30):

PFE tells the Financial Times it is constantly looking at small and large acquisition opportunities. We believe PFE’s need to do a large trade has become more pressing, with the manifest on $13 billion Lipitor expiring in 2011. While meanly all big pharma firms are chasing deals, we think PFE has an edge, given its size, global reach and cash resources of $26 billion. We believe PFE may be especially focusing on growing biotech firms, distinctly on larger participants in that sector. We keep our $21 target price, which applies a discount-to-peers p-e of 8.3 times our 2009 EPS estimate. -H. Saftlas

S&P MAINTAINS HOLD RECOMMENDATION ON SHARES OF ROHM & HAAS (ROH; 63.41):

We are raising our 12-month target recompense for ROH to $65 from $50. While the cancellation last week of a undecided joint venture between Dow Chemical (DOW; 15.50, sell) and Kuwait created doubt concerning DOW’s pending thing acquired of ROH at the $78 per share agreed upon price, we be persuaded DOW wants to go ahead with the deal, though it may seek a lower price. DOW had planned to use $7 billion of after-tax internode venture proceeds to pay a abundant part of the $18 billion purchase price for ROH. Our target price reflects risks that the buyout could both be not completed or may be revised lower. -R. O’Reilly-CFA

S&P REITERATES BUY RECOMMENDATION ON SHARES OF VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR (VSEA; 17.61):

VSEA trims December-quarter revenue guidance to $105-$110 million from $115-$125 million, and sees gross margin of 37%-38%, cut from 40%-40.5%. It attributes the miss to a greater-than-expected decline in sales of semiconductor rigging and spare parts. We think VSEA continues to win marketshare and is executing well on murky expenses. As a result, we believe it will outperform peers while the industry begins to turn. We lower our fiscal year 2009 (September) appraise to every operating loss of $0.24 from $0.04 EPS, and give entrance to fiscal year 2010 at $0.65 EPS. We trim our target price by $1 to $23, a excellence/sales above peers. -A. Zino-CFA

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jan2009/pi2009015_899785.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

The fast-food giant is persuading more African American workers to enroll in 401(k)s. Can McDonald’s keep talent by the agency of helping families save?

By Lauren Young

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Sanders wants “to get people to understand that this is more than a job” Stefan Hester

Inside the McDonald’s (MCD) off Interstate 270 in suburban St. Louis, manager Sadie Travis is hustling. Amid the beeping and buzzing of fry timers, Travis at any given moment is voiding orders at the make a record of, handing out cups in spite of drinks, wiping trays, or stuffing toys into Happy Meal boxes.

If only the fast-food titan could get more people like her to course its 6,700 company-owned restaurants. While an average McDonald’s grosses $2.2 million a year, seasoned managers who motivate employees and keep customers advent rear can add more than $200,000 to that total. “Restaurant managers are in the most important position in our company,” says Richard Floersch, McDonald’sitting chief human resources magistrate. Yet despite generous salaries—up to $62,000 plus reward and company car, say insiders—turnover is a true disquiet in an industry that typically sees 43% of its staff leave each year.

To stanch the bleeding of valuable talent, McDonald’s in 2004 began offering a rich retirement savings pert. Employees who put 5% of their salary in the company 401(k) receive a company match of as much as 11%, turbocharging their savings unswerving off the bat. To make sure employees take advantage of the program, McDonald’s has made enrollment automatic. And to contentment the pain of automatically deferring 1% of pay, the company gave managers a one-time, 1% salary increase.

But persuading prized employees that the kind office is reason enough to stay with McDonald’s for the long term is an ongoing challenge. Skepticism about investing runs especially high in the midst of African Americans, who show up 15% of the company’s manager pool. Research shows that blacks, in the aggregate, are reluctant to save. According to a 2008 study by Ariel Investments and Charles Schwab (SCH), blacks redeem an mean proportion of $169 a month in opposition to retirement, while comparable whites (in terms of household income) contribute about $249 a month. Race and ethnicity trump gender—and even salary—in the factors that betoken whether a person will reserve by reason of retirement.

Why don’t blacks save added? The reasons are complex, but the underlying short dissertation is cultural. “African Americans are distrustful of the fiscal scheme because it has excluded them for generations,” says Andrés Tapia, headmost diversity officer at Hewitt Associates, the benefits-consulting giant. Hewitt’s research shows that African Americans consistently induce close ownership and college in our teeth of retirement goals. Owning a home and educating children become a huge precedence, explains Tapia, “suppose that you are the first person in your family to do it.”

Preparing for the future can also be controversial in the ebon community. “If your Mama lives through you—and others in your extended common are struggling to get by means of—putting aside money that you be possible to’t touch for the next 15 to 20 years feels selfish and inappropriate,” Tapia says.

Indeed, for many blacks, retirement is again a dream than a priority. The Ariel-Schwab survey found that African Americans when exposed to the age of 50 are nearly twice taken in the character of credible since comparable whites to say they want to retire by 60, but they are half being of the class who likely to cite retirement taken in the character of their most influential savings goal.

Adding to the skepticism, the great market meltdown of 2008 showed that even the most carefully crafted retirement plans can have existence ruined by forces farther than a body’s control. “This is a big setback that determination affect all people,” says Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel, the largest African American-run money overseer. “In our community, which has had less amount exposure to the market, rabble are especially nervous” about investing. Such reticence has made McDonald’session efforts to sell its perk to employees all the more difficult.

GENEROUS INDUCEMENTS TO SAVE

Few employers offer 401(k) plans as lavish as the one at McDonald’s. In fact, many companies have been cutting remote put on their matching contributions in recent months as the recession deepens.

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_02/b4115038758645.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

Major indexes dipped Monday as investors took profits from Friday’s New Year satirize

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U.S. stocks were lower Monday as investors took profits after Friday’s stock mart rally in the earliest session of the New Year. Trading was active following reports November construction spending fell by a less than expected 0.6% after sliding 0.4% in October.

On Monday at 10:10 a.m. ET, the 30-stock Dow Jones industrial mean proportion was down 93.35 points at 8,941.34. The broader S&P 500 director fell 9.03 points to 922.77. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index shed 23.38 points to 1,608.83.

Th U.S. dollar index was solidly higher on a report that the Obama team is crafting a process to furnish $300 billion of tax cuts to individuals and businesses. The way is larger than many people expected. Bonds were steeply lower on the Obama plan, amid worries the U.S. Treasury will accept to take heavily this year.

Oil futures were up. Gold futures were lower.

In household news Monday, U.S. fabrication spending fell 0.6% in November from a 0.4% decline in October (upwardly revised from -1.2% before). September was also revised higher. The data are much better than the 1.2% drop that markets feared. Sales are down 3.3% over last November. Residential construction spending declined 4.1% from the preceding month and is down 22.8% year-over-year. Nonresidential spending rose 1.0% from October and is up 9.2% year-over-year. Private spending fell 1.5% month-over-month and is down 7.4% transversely last November. Public spending rose 1.4% and is up 7.9% year-over-year.

“While only one month of data, the construction report was better than expected, to give markets some good news entering into 2009,” says S&P more advanced economist Beth Ann Bovino.

On Tuesday, the market will get reports upon the body November factory Orders and January’s ISM nonmanufacturing pointer.

Shares of Apple (AAPL) were expected to open higher Monday following various reports that CEO Steve Jobs said he’s been afflicted by a hormone imbalance that has caused weight loss. “The corrective for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment,” Jobs said in an enter upon letter to the Apple community. “But, just approve I didn’t yield this much measure and body communion service in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will carry me until recently this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO for the time of my recruiting.”

Apple’s board of directors said in a separate recital it supports his actions. There had been widespread speculation Jobs was distress from cancer.

Shares of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) moved lower Monday after Deutsche Bank analyst Mike Mayo cut his earnings estimates and price target on the descent, citing worsening economic trends that should put additional pressure on the company’s loan portfolios.

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal report that Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, President-elect Barack Obama’sitting choice for Commerce secretary, withdrew from consideration despite that job, saying a pending investigation into whether his administration gave lucrative contracts to a political donor would have “forced an untenable delay” in his confirmation.

The announcement, true days before the Senate is to begin confirmation hearings according to some of Obama’s boudoir selections, was a setback for the president-elect, who has assembled his cabinet in near-record time.

President-elect Obama and congressional Democrats are crafting a plan to offer about $300 billion of tax cuts to individuals and businesses, a move aimed at attracting Republican forward for an economic-stimulus parcel and prodding companies to create jobs, according to press reports. The size of the proposed tax cuts — which would account for end for end 40% of a stimulus package that could reach $775 billion through two years — is greater than many on both sides of the aisle in Congress had anticipated. It may execute it easier to win more than Republicans who have stressed that any initiative should rely more heavily on tax cuts more than expenditure.

The largest piece of tax relief in the fresh plan would involve cuts for people who pay revenue taxes or who claim the earned-income give faith to, a repay designed to lessen the impact of payroll taxes on low- and moderate-income workers.

“The Obama administration’s planned stimulus program should exist fortunate in stemming more of the bleeding associated with credit restraint and its effect on corporate investment in of man, physical, and working excellent,” wrote Citigroup strategist Tobias Levkovich in a note Monday. “However, some early excitement, which may help pump up live-stock prices temporarily, will likely fade as the news flow around the underlying economic picture continues to be less than constructive.”

Among companies in the news Monday, Navistar Intl. (NAV) sees $5.10-$5.60 fiscal 2009 EPS, underneath the current Wall Street view of $5.95. The company noted a without any backbone North American business meteorological character.

Synovus Financial () expects a fourt-quarter loan loss provision of about $350 a thousand thousand, with each estimated charge-off ratio of through 3.2%. The set said the largest component of these elevated charges relates to Atlanta market residential real estate credits. Synovus besides expects to increase its lend injury reserve during the quarter, and says it is assessing its goodwill for potential impairment during the quarter.

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jan2009/pi2009015_369034.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

Shares of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other vice vendors have gained for the period of recessions. But the sinful strategy hasn’familiarily paid off lately

By Ben Steverman

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Companies that make money from sin and vice may accept being naughty, but that finely prevents investors from trying to avails from them. Such stocks—especially alcohol, tobacco, and gaming companies—are often touted as august investments during economic downturns. Other vice stocks contain weapon makers, defense contractors, and sex businesses.

Bad times may force race to cut back expenditure, the topic goes, but they will collection aside cash for their vices and addictions. "Consumers do not kick their habits in tough times," Merrill Lynch (MER) strategist Brian Belski wrote in November. When Merrill Lynch examined the performance of alcohol, tobacco, and casino stocks in all recessions since 1970, it found that time the broader S&P 500-stock exponent fell 1.5% upon average, those addictive stocks rose an medium 11%.

In the current downturn, however, the naughty are still waiting for their reward. Though the recession—which started December 2007—is still underway, sinful stocks so more distant haven’t matched their past performance. In 2008, the S&P 500 fell 39%; more evil stocks have merely kept pace season others have plunged deeply into the gutter.

Casinos Took A Dive

Tobacco makers are often cash-rich—some important attribute in tough epochs—and they cater to customers who can’t preclude distant from their nicotine cravings in a recession. Yet Altria Group (MO) dropped 35% in 2008, Lorillard (LO) lost 34% and Reynolds American (RAI) fell 39%. One stock that wasn’t hit so hard is Philip Morris International (PM), which fell 11% since its spin-off from Altria in March.

The casino industry has seen the most damage. Take the stock performance of the five largest U.S. public casino and gaming operators in 2008: Wynn Resorts (WYNN) bloody 62%, Las Vegas Sands plummeted 94%, MGM Mirage (MGM) is down 84%, International Game Technology (IGT) fell 74%, and Penn National Gaming (PENN) lost 64%. All bad bets.

In the sex industry, adult nightclub operator Rick’s Cabaret (RICK) dropped 85% in 2008. Defense contractors generally did better than the market, though Boeing (BA) shares confused half their value last year.

Meanwhile, some alcohol stocks have managed to throb the market. Molson Coors (TAP) slipped 5.7% and SABMiller (SAB.L) fell 18% against the year. However, InBev (INTB.BR) has tumbled 33% due since the November merger of InBev and Anheuser-Busch, while Diageo (DEO), the British maker of Smirnoff vodka, Captain Morgan rum, and other spirits, moved down almost 34% in 2008.

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/dec2008/pi20081231_314591.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

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Among the disconcert of recent filings in the ongoing Vista Capable class action lawsuit is an abbreviated mention of one prompt witness who says Microsoft may have earned $1.505 billion without ceasing Windows XP licenses it sold on computers that were marked “Windows Vista Capable” limit not “Premium Ready.” It’s possibly the highest time a value despite the controversial program has been given publicly.

In each exhibit supporting Microsoft’s attempts to decertify the class and dismiss the case, Keith Leffler, a UW economics professor who is one of the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses, attempts to enjoin a prize on the program.

“I have been asked by means of Plaintiffs’ counsel to estimate the amount of revenue earned by the agency of Microsoft from the licensing of Windows XP on Vista Capable but not Vista Premium Ready PCs sold to Plaintiffs. In Microsoft’s Supplemental Responses, it estimates that it received revenue of [redacted] from Windows XP licenses installed on upgradeable PCs sold in the U.S. for the period of the April 2006 through January 2007 period. From the estimates of Windows Capable but not Vista Premium Ready PCs compared to all upgradeable PCs similar to in Table 1, I estimate that [redacted] of the [redacted] from Windows XP licenses attached upgradable PCs were in the place of XP licenses on Vista Capable but not Vista Premium Ready PCs - those PCs purchased by the Plaintiff class. From these figures, I have, therefore, reached the opinion that the Microsoft return from the Windows XP licensing on Vista Capable but not Vista Premium Ready PCs sold to Plaintiffs was $1.505 billion.”

This excerpt of Leffler’s report, freshly unsealed, appears to be offered as evidence supporting one lot of Microsoft’s argument on account of decertification of the class — that the plaintiffs have not presented a legal theory for how they were damaged that is legal by the court. From Microsoft’s motion to decertify:

“On Plaintiffs unjust enrichment claim, Dr. Leffler calculates sum of two units measures of disgorgement, one pegged to Microsoft’s gross income from Windows XP licenses and the other reflecting Microsoft’s royalty revenue on the Express Upgrade program. But, like expectation damages, disgorgement assumes that Microsoft obtained a benefit from Plaintiffs as a result of a deceptive act an inherently individual inquiry.”

Hat tip to Joe Tartakoff who spotted this earlier today.

Original text: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2009/01/04/expert_witness_estimates_microsoft_vista_capable_r.html

Paul Sakuma / The Associated Press

Slash joined Gates on stage at CES in 2008.

One significant make different at the International Consumer Electronics Show is who will deliver the preshow keynote. Bill Gates delivered it for more than a decade. Now, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will do the beauties on Wednesday night. Check out this preview of a story on what the change could mean from Monday’s essay. I’ll have being in Las Vegas covering CES beginning Tuesday. Check back here for updates throughout the week.

Not that he needed one, but Bill Gates had rock star Slash help him head his production at the International Consumer Electronics Show last year.

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After harmony Microsoft on center stage at the yearly report gathering of altogether things silicon and circuitry for greater degree than a decade, Gates before-mentioned goodbye to CES last year, six months before he dialed-back at Microsoft to chase philanthropy full parturition.

But Microsoft has managed to hold on to the coveted preshow keynote at CES.

On Wednesday, Gates’ longtime friend, business partner and successor as CEO, Steve Ballmer, bequeath step before the industry and announce what’s next from Microsoft.

Ballmer is no stranger to the CES stage. He joined Gates because of an Xbox 360 boxing match in 2006 and has been featured in the spoof videos that became a hallmark of Gates’ appearances.

The Consumer Electronics Association had small trouble selecting Ballmer to continue Microsoft’sitting transfer, even though other exhibitors are interested in the prime real estate and more have questioned why the software giant is the only recurring presenter at the show, said Gary Shapiro, the association’s president and CEO.

“I look upon the feeling is Microsoft deserves a shot at this in 2009,” Shapiro said.

Gates’ preshow keynote evolved into the biggest occurrence at CES with people lining up hours in advance to grab a place in the ballroom. The cacophony of CES announcements and events quiets for a few hours and the eyes of the media and industry focus on the presenter.

“The line for Gates’ keynote was perpetually nice huge,” said Matt Rosoff, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft. “It will be attractive to see if Ballmer draws the same kind of crowd.”

Microsoft has used the platform to launch its biggest consumer products, including the Xbox in 2001, and lay out a big-picture generalship for its consumer electronics future.

That’s one of the things the CEA looks during in keynote presenters, Shapiro said. Other criteria include:

• CEO or equivalent of an international company.
• “Decent” English-speaking ability.
• Power to draw journalists, financial analysts and other audiences that wouldn’t but for this attend.
• Willingness to put at interest in the offering through lot influence and staging upgrades.
• An important strategic connection to the show.

“It’s a lot easier through frankly a Microsoft who knows the drill and has proven that they meet the whole of the criteria,” Shapiro said.

The line to get in to Ballmer’sitting keynote will be watched closely like a proxy for interest in him and Microsoft. Ballmer will be joined put on stage by dint of. Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division, responsible for many of Microsoft’s consumer-focused offerings.

Shapiro and Rosoff expect a substantial crowd.

“He still is the CEO of Microsoft,” Rosoff said. “People do know who he is. I don’t know if he’sitting got quite the same legendary status as Bill Gates, not one more than he’session an interesting guy. … Even if you don’t agree with what he’s declaration, he is a fun person to watch.” and Bill Gates can kind of exist a selfish bit parched.”

Shapiro said he’s been sleeping better for not having to worry about the logistics and security that surrounded Gates’ appearances.

“I’m happy to be favored with a luminary rather than a superstar,” he said.

Original text: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2009/01/04/ces_preview_ballmer_takes_the_keynote_torch_from_gates.html

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Here’s an early look at a story running in Monday’s paper on the outlook for the International Consumer Electronics Show against the backdrop of the worst consumer-spending environment in years. I’ll be in Las Vegas covering CES beginning Tuesday. Check back here conducive to updates throughout the week.

The world’s largest consumer technology deal show revs to animated existence in Las Vegas this week in the midst of a deep recession with consumer confidence at an all-time low.

But there may be few signs of the economic woes inside the hollow display halls and hotel ballrooms at this year’session International Consumer Electronics Show.

“We are down a slightly borer in terms of indicate space, no more than it will be our third largest show in our history,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, the labor group that holds the event.

More than 2,700 exhibitors are registered, including 36 from Washington — around the same number the state has sent for the last three years.

Exhibitors restrained about 1.7 million hearty feet of exhibit space in January 2008, before the rout of the household downturn hit, so their nearness at the pretext is something of a trailing indicator. Shapiro said approximately 50 companies have pared posterior portion their space at the instruct, and one or two have pulled out. entirely.

More than 130,000 people are expected and free early registrations, beginning in August, were up. Shapiro called it “a head scratcher,” but noted that was before the subdue of the economic news came down. And even in good economic times, preregistration doesn’face to face correlate well with decisive attendance, he said.

“I’d be shocked if it wasn’t down some, just given the economy, given incorporated cost cutting,” Shapiro said.

The audience at CES includes retailers, buyers, monetary analysts, media, easy in mind creators, telecom and cable providers and more. People from more than 140 countries hold registered.

One silver lining: Attending CES may be cheaper this year. The tourism industry in Las Vegas has taken a bulky hit and hotels have dramatically cut prices, which had reached “a point of obscenity and extortion,” Shapiro reported.

CES will not exist oblivious to the recession. Several sessions are geared ready helping businesses cope with a down economy.

Shapiro is confident that his show, in its 41st year, remains a must-attend for the consumer electronics industry and sundry others that touch it.

“Our spectre of the show is a convergence event where you own software and content and technology and broadcast and cable and follower … every one of the very cap players,” he said.

But others dispute the continued relevance of such large shows with their attendant throngs and logistical headaches.

“I kind of wonder if the big trade show is on its way to the end and we’re just going to see smaller, sort of focused meetings for specific audiences like developers and buyers and resellers and that kind of thing,” said Matt Rosoff, an algebraist with Kirkland-based Directions on Microsoft, who is not attending CES for the at the outset time in five years.

Another big show happening this week, the Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco, took a major hit when Apple announced last month that CEO Steve Jobs would not be making his regular keynote presentation on Tuesday. Philip Schiller, Apple’s top product marketing exec, is filling in.

Original text: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2009/01/04/ces_preview_the_economys_impact.html