Bill Gates to square up to Steve Jobs at "D: All Things Digital" conference

Conference showdown just like the Apple ads

22 February 2007 17:22 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will make a rare joint appearance at The Wall Street Journal's "D: All Things Digital" conference this year the newspaper has announced in what is likely to be just like the advertising campaign currently being run by Apple.

According to the paper, the two men will jointly discuss the history and future of the digital revolution in an unrehearsed, unscripted, on stage conversation on May 30 with D co-producers and newspaper writers Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher.

In addition to participating in the joint session with Mr. Gates, Mr. Jobs will appear on his own in a separate segment at D5 to discuss the latest developments at Apple, including new ventures such as the iPhone and Apple TV.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will also appear at the conference in his own segment, to discuss Windows, Office, the Xbox, Zune, and other topics.

The D5 conference will also feature an impressive roster of other leaders in technology and media. Confirmed speakers include Google CEO Eric Schmidt; CBS President Les Moonves; Cisco CEO John Chambers; film director George Lucas; online pioneer Steve Case; Time Inc. CEO Ann Moore; News Corp. President Peter Chernin; Palm founder Jeff Hawkins; and Steve Chen and Chad Hurley of YouTube.

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