Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates says Microsoft needs to be more innovative with regard to mobile computing. He says the company’s initial approach was “clearly a mistake.”
Asked in an interview with CBS This Morning whether he was happy with Ballmer’s performance, Gates said that he and the Microsoft chief executive are “two of the most self-critical people you can imagine,” adding that neither is satisfied that the company is doing everything it can to move computing forward.
“And there were a lot of amazing things that Steve’s leadership got done with the company in the last year,” Gates said. “Windows 8 is key to the future; the Surface computer; Bing, people are seeing as a better search product; Xbox.”
However, Gates is still not satisfied with the company’s position in what from all indicators, looks to be the future of the computing industry.
“Is it enough?” the Microsoft chairman continued, “No, he and I are not satisfied that in terms of, you know, breakthrough things, that we’re doing everything possible.”
Gates admitted that the company didn’t “get out in the lead very early” on cell phones. Although Microsoft got off to an early start with Windows Mobile, they let the competition, iOS and Android, quickly pass them by.
“We didn’t miss cell phones,” Gates conceded, “but the way that we went about it didn’t allow us to get the leadership. So it’s clearly a mistake.”
Gate also talked about the philanthropic efforts he and his wife have been engaged in. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has targeted malaria and polio for eradication, and has contributed to the fight against AIDS and tuberculosis.
You can view the interview below:
