January 8-11, 2009, Las Vegas, Nevada will see two behemoths of the console war appearing on the same stage - although not at the same time. Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer and Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer will kick off the New Year by bigging up their respective companies at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Says Consumer Electronics Association president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "These exciting keynote speakers demonstrate that the 2009 International CES is the hub of activity in the consumer electronics, entertainment content, and automotive industries".

Yes, the automotive industry, we know it's not exactly video games focused but let's face it, in terms of "Big Wow!" 2008's game-centric shows have not exactly lit many fires under many asses. So, let's hope that Balmer and Stringer at least have something more than vapourware and bluster to present at CES.