Kiss, LL Cool J and the Red Hot Chili Peppers could be among next year’s inductees at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They are part of an eclectic group of 12 acts in contention for the 2010 class. Other first-time nominees include Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and songwriter Laura Nyro.

Some of the names on the ballot have been there before — Donna Summer, Darlene Love, ABBA, the Chantels, and the Stooges.

Only five acts make it in. The 25th annual induction ceremony is slated for March 15 in New York City. The inductees will be announced in December.

It wasn’t all that long ago that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer proudly declared that Windows Mobile 7 would be out “sometime next year,” but it looks things got a bit more real at the company’s just-concluded Venture Capital Summit, where Ballmer reportedly said that he wished Windows Mobile 7 had already launched by now. That initial word comes from venture capitalist Paul Jozefak (or @pjozefak), who also tweeted that “Ballmer says they screwed up with Windows Mobile,” while another attendee, @Benanito, directly quotes Ballmer as saying that Microsoft has “pumped in some new talent,” and that “this will not happen again.” Steve Ballmer’s fists could not be reached for comment.