Greenpeace has released their "Guide to Greener Electronics" which scores the 18 top manufacturers of gadgets and devices according to their policies on toxic chemicals and recycling.

Apple, which was under Greenpeace's black books for the iPhone, got a better score this time around. Among the three console manufacturers, Sony scored the best. Microsoft was third to the last and Nintendo was in last place (because both are new entries to the guide).

Fine, Microsoft doesn't want to buy Take-Two Interactive. But have you ever wondered what big MS really wants? Well, judging from its actions, it seems that the company is into advertisements these days.

Almost one year ago, it can be remembered that Microsoft acquired the in-game ads company Massive Inc., and now, there are a lot of rumors going around saying that Microsoft has set its eyes on another online advertising company, DoubleClick. Some of its clients include General Motors, Coca-Cola, Motorola, L'Oreal, Palm, Visa USA, Nike, and Carlsberg among many others.

For those who may not be familiar with the name, DoubleClick was just founded last year and its total amount of sales was somewhere around £75  million (US$ 147.62 million). We haven't heard any feedback about this company's performance and strategies, but it may be safe to assume that they're doing well enough to catch the eye of a giant like Microsoft.

The rumors also added that if the acquisition pushes through, it will cost MS a hefty sum of US$ 2 billion. Now, they must REALLY want that company.

Bill Gates was tapped to deliver one of three keynote addresses in the slated January 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. From the looks of it, this will be the last time he'll be speaking as MS' chairman as he is resigning from the iconic company come 2008.

This would be the ninth keynote for Mr. Gates and most likely, the company's gaming wing will hog much of his speech time as they are facing major challenges in several fields - with the impending releases of the PS3 and Wii. Other keynote speakers are Motorola chairman and CEO Ed Zander, and Roger Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

Another topic that will most certainly get some air time in that keynote address is the Windows Vista Operating System which is carrying the heavy burden of energizing its software base. Some of Seattle's technology press is also speculating that Microsoft's Zune nee Argo media device, its connected software and services, would also be tackled.

To give you a bit of a refresher, the world's richest man's keynote last January in the same show focused on MS' support to the next-generation HD-DVD format with the announcement of an external Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive - due out before the end of 2006. Alongside that assurance are some software announcements - the availability of more games on Xbox Live Arcade. The 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show takes place between January 8th and 11th.