Google is generating the sort of stock market and media excitement that was once afforded to the younger Microsoft. The search engine firm is seen by many experts as trying to disrupt the market in much the same way as Gates once did with the rise of the PC.
But, while acknowledging Google as ‘a fine company, a serious competitor’, he is dismissive of the threat.
‘Which Google products are you talking about? Seriously? Other than search, which are you talking about? Google Talk? Wow. A total “me too” product. Even Gmail – what is the unique thing?’ he says.
‘We need to surprise people and do a search that is way better than Google, and we are very on top of that. The idea of development tools, a natural interface, productivity software – Google is not in any of those categories. People are acting as if they will magically be in these other categories with something more than a “me too” offering. It is kind of fun that people underestimate what we are going to do here.’
This would not be the first time that Microsoft has seen off stiff competition.