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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Ballmer Opens Up Windows 7 Beta

Beta version of Vista successor available to the public starting tomorrow

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(Newser) – Windows 7 Beta will be launched to the public tomorrow, Steve Ballmer told the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday. The Microsoft chief, filling the keynote slot held by Bill Gates in the previous 11 years, told the audience that the operating system would be a return to the "special sauce" that made the firm an innovator, ChannelWeb reports.

Ballmer never mentioned the much-maligned Vista by name but addressed some of users' main gripes by promising that Windows 7 would boot faster, hog less power, and be more reliable than earlier versions. Ballmer also announced major steps forward in the company's "cloud computing" plans and major partnerships with Dell, Facebook, and Verizon to expand the reach of Windows Live and Live Search.

Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Windows 7 as he delivers the keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Windows 7 as he delivers the keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Windows 7 as he delivers the keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Las Vegas.
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Windows 7 as he delivers the keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer delivers the keynote address Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer delivers the keynote address Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer delivers the keynote address Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer delivers the keynote address Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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Steve Ballmer discusses Windows 7 at the Consumer Electronics Show.   (filmecurenoir)

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We're really excited about the progress we've made with Windows 7, and we're on track to deliver the best version of Windows ever. We're working hard to get it right, and to get it ready. - Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

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Newser001
Jan 8, 09 7:00 AM CST
deja vu Reply
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AClotfelter
Jan 8, 09 8:44 AM CST
There's nothing wrong with Vista. Reply
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