In photos: 'CeBit Preparations'

Modell Freschta Sahibi poses with the new Eee PC (7 inch display) by Asus at the IT trade fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/FRISO GENTSCH

Museum director Ulrich Krempel (R) shows the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso the art object 'Petit monstre ou Espece de monstre' (1964) by artist Niki de Saint Phalle during a tour of the Sprengel Museum in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. In the evening of 03 March Barroso will open the computer trade fair CeBIT in Hanover. EPA/HOLGER HOLLERMANN

Hostesses Ina (L) and Julia present a new flat screen OLED-display (31 inch in diametre) by Samsung at the IT trade fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/FRISO GENTSCH

The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso looks at the art object 'Five Chocolate Babys' (1968) by German artist Dieter Roth during a tour of the Sprengel Museum in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. In the evening of 03 March Barroso will open the computer trade fair CeBIT in Hanover. EPA/HOLGER HOLLERMANN

The composite picture shows a Microsoft employee presenting the new 'Microsoft Surface' computer at the IT trade fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. 'Microsoft Surface' does completely without mouse and keyboard and allows the user to operate the computer solely by his hands via a 30 in. touchscreen similar to a living room table. This new 'Multi-Touch' technology paves the way for completely novel ways of interaction between humans and computers or other electronic devices. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/Kay Nietfeld

A worker polishs a robot sculpture at the trade fair premises during the preparations for the CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/JOCHEN LUEBKE

A visitors walks past a huge video screen reading ' Welcome to CeBIT 2008' at the CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/KAY NIETFELD

Workers clean the stand of IBM during last preparations ahead of the opening of CeBIT 2008 computer and telecommunications trade fair in Hanover, Germany. Some 5500 exhibitors from 75 countries will present the latest innovations and products from IT sector during the world's largest such trade fair that takes place from 01 to 10 match 2008. EPA/PETER STEFFEN COLOR

A worker cleans a large poster of a mobile phone manufacturer during last preparations ahead of the opening of CeBIT 2008 computer and telecommunications trade fair in Hanover, Germany. Some 5500 exhibitors from 75 countries will present the latest innovations and products from IT sector during the world's largest such trade fair that takes place from 01 to 10 match 2008. EPA/PETER STEFFEN

Digital picture frames seen at the Samsung trade fair stand to teh CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, 02 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair for digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/KAY NIETFELD

A technician sets up a booth at a trade fair stand at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, 02 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair for digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/PETER STEFFEN

A woman checks her laptop at the CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, 02 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/Kay Nietfeld

A worker puts on the finishing touches to a panel of the AVM trade fair stand at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, 02 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair for digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/KAY NIETFELD

A worker hovers with a lift in front of a giant advertising banner for the CeBIT green IT-Village on the exhibitions grounds in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair for digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/KAY NIETFELD

A man puts up a poster advertising the 'green IT-VILLAGE' at CeBIT trade show in Hanover, Germany, 29 February 2008. A total of 5500 exhibitors from 75 countries present their latest products from 4th to 10th March 2008. CeBIT 2007 had seen 6153 exhibitors and 480,000 visitors. EPA/JOCHEN LUEBKE

A worker puts up advertising posters at CeBIT trade show in Hanover, Germany, 29 February 2008. A total of 5500 exhibitors from 75 countries present their latest products from 4th to 10th March 2008. CeBIT 2007 had seen 6153 exhibitors and 480,000 visitors. EPA/JOCHEN LUEBKE

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is pictured during a press conference at the IT trade fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. Balmer presented various Microsoft novelties. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/KAY NIETFELD

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer speaks during a press conference at the IT trade fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. Balmer presented various Microsoft novelties. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/KAY NIETFELD

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer speaks during a press conference at the IT trade fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, 03 March 2008. From 04 through 10 March, some 5,500 exhibitors from 75 countries showcase their latest products at the world's largest trade fair on digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. EPA/JOCHEN LUEBKE