Last week the Internet was abuzz with speculation that Bill Gates might be returning full time to Microsoft after an article on the Fortune web site used second hand rumors to claim his possible return to the company he founded. That rumor was quickly squashed by Bill Gates" chief of staff Larry Cohen. Now Gates himself has confirmed that he is not thinking about a return to his full time Microsoft duties.
In a new print and video interview for the Sydney Morning Herald, Gates states flat out that he is working full time with his charitable organization the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He states in the interview he will be doing that job full time for "the rest of my life."
That"s not to say that Gates isn"t still involved in Microsoft"s affairs. Indeed he states, "I"m part-time involved with Microsoft, including even being in touch this week to give some of my advice but that"s not going to change – the foundation requires all of my energy and we feel we"re having a great impact."
Gates also talks some about his relationship with Apple"s late founder and CEO Steve Jobs in the interview. At one point the interviewer asks Gates if he uses any Apple products such as the iPhone. Gates quickly says no, saying, "There are fantastic Windows Phones which I happen to use ... I am the most avid Microsoft user you"ll meet."