CES 20067 Bill Gates opened the Consumer Electronics Show by talking up the consumer attraction of Vista - something he hasn't done since last year's Consumer Electronics Show.

After listening to the marketing puff for the new operating system the audience even got a product demo from a marketing bod.

Gates returned to the fray to outline how Microsoft is working with HP on Windows Home Server. For homes with multiple PCs, or X-boxes, the machine will provide backup storage for different devices. It is due in the second half of the year.

This was followed by more marketing stuff on devices and "connected experiences".

Gates also banged the drum for Microsoft's deal with Ford to get Windows into your car. Microsoft Auto provides phone and music player synching and voice commands.

All our coverage from CES is available here and the transcript of the speech is here.®

Read our complete CES 2007 coverage at Reg Hardware

Related stories

• Microsoft needs Windows Home Server test dummies (23 May 2008)
• Microsoft hawks Home Server (6 November 2007)
• Vista goes gangbusters (15 May 2007)
• Analysis Vista: long-term burn, not short-term sizzle (31 January 2007)
• Don't rush into Vista, schools told (12 January 2007)
• Bill Gates: a man and his music devices (12 January 2007)
• HP demos touchy-feely, finger-friendly Vista media PC (11 January 2007)
• Microsoft dusts off Smart Objects (10 January 2007)
• Windows Vista to connect to Xbox Live (10 January 2007)
• Microsoft and AMD club together for space-flight ticket (9 January 2007)
• Sonos adds Windows Media DRM to multi-room music system (8 January 2007)
• Samsung unveils second-gen Blu-ray Disc player (8 January 2007)
• Sony to bring Flash-only UMPC to US (8 January 2007)
• Samsung preps ultra-slim music player (8 January 2007)
• CES Gates makes case for Windows in consumer world (5 January 2006)
• CES 2006: the first gadgets land (4 January 2006)