Editor’s note – Nov. 20, 2012 – A photo from Ballmer’s visit to France was added to the slideshow below.
REDMOND, Wash. – Nov. 13, 2012 – World, meet Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and Surface. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer last week took Microsoft's wave of new products on the road, visiting Europe and Israel.
He said the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, an upcoming new version Office, and updates to the company's Xbox platform—all part of the biggest wave of updates in the company's history—signify that Microsoft has entered a new era.
"For us this is a time of reimagination, innovation, rebirth, and I think the opportunity is quite large," Ballmer said.
In speeches to students in Moscow, tech start-ups in Israel, customers in London, developers in Berlin, and partners in Paris, Ballmer highlighted how Microsoft delivers highly personalized experiences on Windows 8 devices and Windows Phone 8.
Windows 8 is "the best version of Windows ever built," he said. "It is the fastest, it turns on the quickest, it uses the least amount of memory; in any sense for the over 1 billion people on the planet who use PCs today, Windows 8 will let you have the best PC experience ever made."
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Steve Ballmer Speaks at Discovery Event in Israel
November 12, 2012
Ballmer spoke at a Discovery event in Tel-Aviv about Microsoft’s recent wave of launches, including Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Surface. November 5, 2012
Steve Ballmer and Nokia's Stephen Elop in Moscow
November 12, 2012
While in Moscow, Ballmer joined Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop on stage to launch Lumia 820 and Lumia 920 in Russia. November 6, 2012
Steve Ballmer and MTS's Andrey Dubovskov in Moscow
November 12, 2012
Ballmer and Andrey Dubovskov, MTS president and CEO, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened the Windows 8 ecosystem pilot demo zone at an MTS retail store in Moscow. November 6, 2012
Steve Ballmer Speaks with Developers in London
November 12, 2012
At Microsoft's new space "Modern Jago" in London’s trendy Shoreditch area, Ballmer spoke with developers about the momentum and potential of the Windows 8 platform. November 7, 2012
Steve Ballmer and UK Prime Minister David Cameron
November 12, 2012
As part of CEO Steve Ballmer's visit to the U.K., he and U.K. Prime Minster David Cameron on Wednesday launched Microsoft's Get On program, designed to help 300,000 young people in the United Kingdom find work. In this photo, Cameron and Ballmer appear at 10 Downing Street with several apprentices who will participate in the program. November 7, 2012
Steve Ballmer Launches "Smart Mice" in Germany
November 12, 2012
In Berlin, Ballmer talked about how technology will drive advancements in education as part of the "Smart Mice" launch. Smart Mice is education software that teaches children language skills and also helps to start building their technical proficiency. November 8, 2012
Steve Ballmer Speaks With Developers in Paris
November 09, 2012
While in France, Ballmer spoke with developers about the potential and momentum of the Windows 8 platform. November 9, 2012.