The year CES will mark also what could be the last keynote address by Microsoft’s chairman Bill Gates, the man who has opened the exhibition for over a decade.

As previously announced Gates will give up his leadership role at Microsoft during the course of the year and devote himself to philanthropy at his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

As you can imagine, everyone is eagerly expecting to see what Gates will say in his last keynote. Over the years, Gates has used the CES keynote to announce key Microsoft’s products.

For example in 1998 he introduces Microsoft Auto and, during his 2001’s speech Gates unveiled Xbox, Microsoft’s gaming platform.

There was also the historic unveiling of Windows 1.0, and his November 12, 1994 speech at the Aladdin Hotel when the software tycoon outlined his vision for the future of "information at your fingertips."

During the last years, Gates' projected at CES a "digital decade" where computer technology would "change every part of our lives" and satisfy the promise of a truly secure and truly personal computer.  

During his last years speech at CES, Bill Gates unveiled another revolutionary product Windows Home Server, a product that takes advantage of the familiarity of the Windows operating system to help families easily store and organize digital content.

Gates also announced a partnership between Microsoft and Ford to deliver Sync, a voice-activated, intelligent means to connect personal electronic devices to vehicles, including a wide range of mobile phones, storage media, and portable music players such as Zune and others.

But what will be at this year CES? As Gates is leaving the company, Microsoft has to deal with new rivals and challenges. Sales of its Windows Vista operating system have not fulfilled Gates' own high hopes. Business users especially have remained stubbornly attached to its predecessor, the tried and true Windows XP.

Also, the company is facing a stiff competition from companies like Google and Apple.

Google’s Android project could become a real threat for Windows Mobile, while Apple is already building a strong momentum with its ultimate phone gadget, iPhone.

As Windows Mobile 6.1 is expected to be released sometime early this year, is very likely that the OS will be one of the Gates’ keynote highlights.

In an interview with The Seattle Times, Bill Gates also said that we could expect some new announcements about Xbox gaming platform.

But whatever Bill Gates will say, this keynote marks an end of an era, not only for Microsoft, but also for the tech world.

Two techies are set to fill the huge gap he leaves behind him: Craig Mundie and Ray Ozzie. Mundie, a Microsoft veteran, takes over the post of chief research and strategy officer. Ozzie, the man whose inventions include Lotus Notes, did not join Microsoft until 2005 when it took over his company Groove Networks. His future title will be chief software architect.

So far, it is not clear which of the two men will take on the public role of the brains of Microsoft.

"The challenge for people that succeed Bill is, who is going to be the spokesperson for Microsoft?" said Jupiter Research's Michael Gartenberg. "Who is going to be the public face for Microsoft going forward and who will take the role of evangelizing Microsoft's technologies?"