Microsoft returns to CES Las Vegas tech show

The organiser of the US's biggest tech show has revealed to the BBC that Microsoft is returning to the event.

Microsoft announced it was pulling out of CES in 2012, saying that its "product news milestones" did not align with the January tradeshow.

Although it is not scheduled to host a keynote speech at 2014's event, the firm has booked meeting rooms again.

One analyst said the news reinforced the Las Vegas show's claim to be the year's most important tech event.

Others had previously suggested Microsoft's departure might mark "the beginning of the end" of the show.

A spokesman for Microsoft said he was unable to comment.

Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association - the lobby group which hosts CES, disclosed the news during a visit to London.

"Microsoft is officially back in the International CES," he told the BBC.

"They are taking out significant space in meeting rooms - it's actually a larger presence than I believe they have ever had.

"Microsoft will have to make the decision who the rooms are open to or not, but I imagine they're very open to the press.

"We have had a tremendous partnership [with Microsoft] going back to the very beginning. You know, we had one little blip this year... but now we're happy to have them back with a physical presence."

:story: BBC News