Since Bill Gates stepped down as Chairman of Microsoft in early 2014, rumors have been circulating about his motives and what it means for the future of his software company.
It now transpires that the computer entrepreneur, worth over $80 billion, fired himself due to lingering doubts about the company’s ability and desire to compete any more with tech-giant Apple which has consistently boasted better earnings reports. Today, Gates is enthusiastically pursuing a range of philanthropic activities via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is the proud owner of a new iPhone 6.
Gates confesses, “When we gave employees a choice about their personal laptop preference and the majority opted to take home Apple Macs, I think that was their way of saying bye bye Bill. The universe was telling me that it was time to leave Microsoft.”
Gates admits that Microsoft operates in a traditional corporate structure which is struggling to compete against its rival’s more flexible and quickly innovating tech eco-system. The two companies’ results and products reflect that. Apple boasted three times the revenue in the last quarter of 2014.
“I’d been stubborn and refused to try out Apple products before, but after seeing the sales figures and the response of my own employees, intrigue got the better of me. And once you make the switch, you simply can’t go back. I love the user interface and clean design of the iPhone. I used to say it was overpriced, but if you can afford it, why not?”
Named the world’s wealthiest man year after year, Gates finally understands the secret of a rich life: it can be more fun to give and spend money than to make it.
He is devoting his free time to social pursuits and expanding his involvement in his charitable Foundation. The unexpected perk? He now enjoys a more honest relationship with his wife Melinda: she has admitted to listening to iTunes for the last five years and no longer wears black earphones to hide her secret.
Traders are advised not to believe all the news stories they read on April Fools’ Day and to think twice before making trading decisions!
