Microsoft kick-started the Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles today and talked about the cloud, mobile, and the company's next generation operating system Windows 8 to nearly 15,000 attendees. Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer began the event with a keynote speech that hinted on Microsoft's current plan when it comes to the cloud. "It's going to be one of the most beneficial transitions for all users of information technology around the planet," Ballmer said, noting that Microsoft has more than 40,000 partners that identify themselves as cloud-ready. Ballmer also talked about the company's mobile operating system, Windows Phone, and how it had a lot of potential, especially with the new Nokia-Microsoft partnership. "Nokia -- who had a choice this year to bet on themselves, Android or Windows Phone -- said for their bet-the-company strategy, they're going with Windows Phone." Microsoft's Business and Marketing lead for Windows, Tami Reller, was on stage at the Worldwide Partner Conference and talked about the company's next generation operating system and mentioned how Windows 8 will be tailored to both PCs and mobile devices. "Windows 8 is a true reimagining of Windows, from the chip to the interface. We designed Windows 8 from the ground up to be excellent for touch-only tablets -- and to work well with the keyboard and mouse." "At the heart of our ability to deliver Windows 8 is the flexibility Windows has consistently shown; its ability to adapt over time is what ensures Windows will continue to be highly relevant in the future," Reller also added.