Bill Gates: I'll target cloud, Windows and Office in new Microsoft role

His message on products was to make Office in the cloud better and bring more features to storage in the cloud.

Gates told a Reddit Ask Me Anything session that he saw potential to get more out of the Windows operating system, cloud services and improving Office.

“I am excited about how the cloud and new devices can help us communicate and collaborate in new ways. The OS won’t just be on one device and the information won’t just be files – it will be your history including being able to review memories of things like kids growing up,” Gates wrote. “Even in Office there is a lot more that can be done.’

“Office connected to the cloud has a lot of potential and we are off to a good start. Cloud Storage needs to be a lot richer though.”

He says he’s thrilled Nadella asked him “to make sure Microsoft is ambitious with its innovations,” and that he plans to spend a third of his working time on the task with the rest being spent on his charitable foundation.

With Nadella just finishing his first week on the job as CEO, Gates set himself up as setting goals and seeing they are carried out. “I make sure we pick ambitious scenarios and that we have a strong architecture to deliver on them,” he said.

While much of the questioning was about his work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, some of it was more related to technology, including what PC he uses. His answer? “Surface 2 PRO which works well for me,” which is a bit of a gaffe since the actual name of the device is Surface PRO 2.

Originally published on Network World (US). Click here to read the original story. Reprinted with permission from IDG.net. Story copyright 2024 International Data Group. All rights reserved.