On a more serious note, Gates touted the role of connected computing, enabling any content to be accessed from any connected device. Microsoft had quite a year, selling more than 100 million copies of Vista, 17.7 million Xbox 360s, 8.1 million copies of Halo 3, 1 million set top boxes, 1.5 million Zune Social users, and inking media deals with major studios to deliver content via Microsoft's various IPTV platforms.

Microsoft's technology, Gates said, will eventually enable a much more interactive, customized viewing experience when watching television programming. For example, it will be possible to watch a NASCAR race, and specify that you want to watch the camera mounted in car 35, or customize which specific sporting events you want to see during the Olympics.

Gates also stressed the role of computing in the automotive industry, noting that Ford has already sold over 30,000 SYNC-equipped cars. SYNC is Microsoft's automotive technology that allows drivers to synchronize Windows powered devices with the vehicle's on-board entertainment system.

On a lighter note, Gates announced he had brought a "special guest" with him, and brought out former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who played Guitar Hero and then rocked out with his real axe.

Security Staff Was Everywhere, Pushing The Press All Around The Room

One of these guys even threatened to take away people's press credentials if they didn't move.

Gates Brings out Surprise Guest Slash

Bill Gates Said This Would Be His Last CES Keynote Address

Brian Williams Narrated a Video Montage That Predicted Microsoft's Continued Success after Gates Retirement

Steve Ballmer shown in a video walking Bill out to his car on Gates' last day of work at MSFT

Al Gore tells Bill that he doesn't have a job for him

Obama makes a brief appearance in the video

John Stewart jokingly tells Gates there's no place for him on the Daily Show

Not even George Clooney was willing to offer Bill a job...

Yup - that's Mr. Steven Spielberg

After showing Bill Gates working out in a gym, he is shown trying his luck as a recording artist working with Jay-Z

The hall is huge, and getting close to the action was made more difficult by the constant herding of the over-zealous security staff.