After Bill Gates retired from Microsoft last year, it is now up to Microsoft’s new CEO, Steve Ballmer, to deliver the keynote speech at the International Consumer and Electronics show this year about the company’s plans and new products.

On Wednesday, Robby Bach will be there to assist Ballmer during the speech and the demonstrations of the new features that Ballmer will exhibit at the show. Robby Bach is currently the president of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division and used to assist Bill Gates during his annual speech at the Consumer Show.

Rumors about the main subjects of the speech have already begun to fill the internet. Many of them claim that the CEO of Microsoft will primarily focus on the next version of the company’s OS, Windows 7.  A report from TechCrunch states that there will also be a demonstration of HomeGroups, a new networking interface that will be implemented on Windows 7.

Along with Windows 7, TechCrunch also reported that a main point of the speech would be the Flash addition on the Windows Mobile version of Internet Explorer. Last, but not the least, it is also expected that Steve Ballmer will also say a few words about the two new Halo titles that will be launched in 2009 for Xbox.

The preshow speech will begin on Wednesday, at 6:30 PM PST at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.