In final speech as CEO, Ballmer says Bing and Xbox key parts of Microsoft

Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer made one final speech at the company’s annual share meeting before he calls it quits. In his talk, Ballmer mentioned Bing and Xbox being key parts of Microsoft’s broader vision.

Ballmer made this last ditch effort of appealing to shareholders to save the Xbox and Bing divisions even as many in the faction as well as potential CEO candidates are baying for their blood. GeekWire has reported that Ballmer, in his speech at the sparsely attended shareholder meeting in Seattle vehemently defended the two divisions.

Farewell speech (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ballmer, in reference to the new Xbox One, talked about the integration of Microsoft products like Bing and SkyDrive as examples of how various products are coming together in a unified strategy, bringing more power to the company’s services. Xbox One is “a reflection of what is possible when a company, our company, is unified under a common vision,” he said. He also mentioned that Bing is key to helping Microsoft test and improve the Windows Azure service.

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“This is really a signature moment in the transformation of the company,” Ballmer also said, in reference to Microsoft’s upcoming acquisition of Nokia Devices and Services. “Microsoft is uniquely positioned to drive and define the next big thing.” The acquisition was approved yesterday by the shareholders collectively. Ballmer believes that the deal will bring in good news for Microsoft’s Windows Phone, tablets and PC divisions, giving them a much needed push. “Microsoft is uniquely positioned to drive and define the next big thing,” he said.

In response to a question regarding acquisitions, Ballmer admitted that there was a need for Microsoft to be careful but also mentioned that “bolder plays” become necessary at times. “Now, bigger acquisitions should be done with great thought and caution,” he said. “Certainly our aQuantive acquisition is not going to go down in the record books as a success. It wasn’t, and I take responsibility for that.”

It was also reported by The New York Times that Bill Gates, while addressing the shareholders in the meeting choked up at the prospect of Ballmer leaving. He said that Microsoft had seen but two chief executives in its history – Ballmer and himself – making the company quite unusual. He said that the company’s board was trying to ensure they find the right kind of person to fill in Ballmer’s shoes.