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According to a press release summing up Microsoft's CES 2010 keynote that dropped just before Ballmer took the stage, the company will be releasing Project Natal in "holiday season 2010." We heard earlier today about what year the future controller would be arriving, but now, folks, now we know during which group of months it'll be arriving at retail.

The release explicitly states that the still-codenamed Natal project is "scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010," adding that Natal "is only the most recent example of Microsoft's work creating natural user interfaces." With any luck, by E3 we'll have an actual name and maybe even a specific month for when we'll get to check it out at home! Until then, we'll have to get by with the inspirational video about Natal's origins created for today's release, embedded above.

Just like Sony earlier this evening, we're not going to be detailing all of Steve Ballmer's 2010 CES press conference, that's really Engadget's thang. Instead, we'll be bringing more details on all things gaming (think: leaked Xbox Game Room and Project Natal deets, anyone?) right back here. If you want the total experience, including lots of non-gaming stuff, venture forth, dear reader.

If your interest in all things Microsoft extends to a barely gaming related keynote address, then we've got some good news. Major Nelson tipped us off that Microsoft will be streaming its 2010 Consumer Electronic Show keynote -- hosted by the zany Steve Ballmer and and Robbie Bach -- tonight at 9:30PM EST. Sadly, tonight's viewing has been sullied by the fact that we pretty much know what we're going to hear in the way of Xbox news. But, like our marathon sessions of Titanic, we won't let our prior knowledge ruin our enjoyment of tonight's big show.

Also, the fine folks at Engadget will be liveblogging the entire event, if you'd prefer to read about all the excitement. Get some popcorn ready, and let's hope for more of this... oh, and this.

Source: Watch Microsoft's CES 2010 keynote live, at 9:30PM

It's not every day that the head of a multi-billion dollar corporation apologizes to you, so excuse us if we drink deeply of Steve Ballmer's statement to IGN, in which he apologized for referencing a new 360 console to launch in 2010 last week.

Specifically, he said "I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry." Tell you what, Steve, you give us one of your patented "World's Greatest Back Rubs," and all is forgiven. (Also, we're sure you meant a new Xbox 360 bundle, right?)

While there's no official release window for Microsoft's motion-sensing camera interface, Project Natal – heck, there's not even an official name of the thing yet! – comments made by Microsoft CEO (and professional stretcher) Steve Ballmer indicate a 2010 launch. TGDaily reports that "Ballmer stated openly during a speech on the recession to those in attendance at the Executives Club in Chicago, a new Xbox 360 will hit the store shelves in 2010."

The report never mentions "Natal" and refers instead to a "console" featuring a built-in camera. An example of a writer not familiar with the beat, or an allusion to a new Xbox-branded console, as rumored? Maybe a little bit of both: a console-level launch for the Natal, as mentioned by Shane Kim? The complete lack of reference to "Project Natal" in the report makes us question the specifics regarding a "new Xbox 360." However, a new Xbox 360 SKU featuring Natal could be one alternative possibility – but forget about all that! What's important is the 2010 comment. Regardless of how Natal is packaged, Microsoft's top dog says you'll be flailing your arms next year.

We've asked Microsoft to clarify Mr. Ballmer's statements or provide a transcript. We'll let you know what they say!

[Update: Unsurprisingly, Microsoft didn't have much to say on the matter. They tell us, "As the Xbox team stated at E3 two weeks ago, we are not even halfway through the current console generation lifecycle and believe Xbox 360 will be the entertainment center in the home for long into the next decade. Project Natal will be an important part of this platform, but we have not confirmed a launch date at this time." So, there you are.]

Reiterating his employer's excitement at June's E3 event, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said to the Dallas Regional Chamber in a speech yesterday, "Pay attention to the stuff we're announcing in the next month on Xbox." While part of his statement may be a subliminal promotion for the currently running "Win a car and a trip to E3" contest Microsoft is sponsoring, we're going all the way out on a limb here and guessing it may have something to do with that motion-sensing business we've been hearing so much about.

In what is now annual tradition, Microsoft will be holding its press conference one day before the opening of E3 and is planning to "completely transform how people think about home entertainment." We'll be sure to wear sunglasses, ya know, just in case.

We're fairly certain even the Pach-Attack himself couldn't have seen this coming. Microsoft CEO Steve "Developers" Ballmer recently told Reuters that the current economic conditions (hint: they're bad) will affect his company's revenues. "Revenues in our industry, and in our company, will be affected by the economic conditions," said Ballmer. Exactly how much of an effect economic problems will have on the Xbox division remains unknown.

Luckily, Microsoft saw this coming and decided to cut the economy off at the pass by dropping a few positions -- about 5,000 or so.

[Via Edge Online]

It may not be quite as sweeping as the rumored 15,000 job losses, but Microsoft did reveal today that the company would cut 1,400 positions immediately, with that number increasing to 5,000 by June of 2010. The cuts, expected to save the company $1.5 billion in operating expenses, account for 5.5 percent of its workforce. If you're the sort that likes to see terrible economic events transpire, here's the email chief Steve Ballmer sent to employees today.

There's no word yet on where, specifically, the cuts would come from, but with Microsoft reporting the Xbox division's three percent growth over the previous year, we're hopeful that the games house will make it through unscathed.

"Xbox is an unqualified success" said Ballmer, adding "the product is selling very well" and that "the Xbox is an absolute home run." And when Mercury News pushed the point a bit further, asking whether or not a 360 price cut was a last ditch effort to spur console sales, Ballmer responded with an emphatic "no" saying "that's the craziest thing I've ever heard anybody say. All consoles start at higher prices. They always come down through the long cycle." Word!

There you have it, an Xbox 360 sales status report from Mr. Microsoft himself. We say, preach on Ballmer and don't let anyone mock you for sporting pink boxing gloves. Ever.

At Microsoft's Mix 08 Internet Conference in Las Vegas, company CEO Steve "Monkey Boy" Ballmer took a moment during his hour-long session to address Microsoft's official stance on Blu-ray, following the death of HD-DVD.

According to Ballmer, Microsoft plans to support Blu-ray in "ways that make sense." The company is already working on Windows device drivers, and with Sony in talks with Microsoft about the possibility of building a Blu-ray add-on for the 360, it's only a matter of time before Ballmer's dancing around and chanting "Blu-ray! Blu-ray! Blu-ray!"