More from the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Rival Google Inc. may be nipping at its heels, but Microsoft Corp. was not flashing any defeatist signs as it showcased its latest plans to help make living in the digital world safer, easier and more fun.

In his 10th keynote to kick off the International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates on Wednesday night highlighted the Windows Vista program, a major operating system upgrade set for release later this year.

He also discussed how Microsofts Xbox game console and media-oriented software for PCs and electronics gadgets are aiming to help consumers connect more easily with each other, get more entertainment, and deliver more high-definition video.

Consumers are getting more and more connected, and software is at the center of that, Gates said.

Gates speech was just two days before Google hosts its first CES keynote, in a sign of the Internet giants rising influence.
Rumors are swirling among analysts that Google may unveil a Google-based PC, or some kind of Google-based software that would compete directly with or at least indicate the increasing irrelevance of Windows desktop software, Microsofts bread and butter.

Read more courtesy of cnn.com