Gates bids farewell to the computing industry

It was billed as a fond farewell to the technology industry from Bill Gates: a chance for the billionaire businessman to pay tribute to the hi-tech world one last time before he steps down from his duties at Microsoft later this year.

But the normally unassuming software tycoon also appeared to have been infected by the glamour of Las Vegas, opening the world’s largest technology conference yesterday by parading a sequence of high-profile friends and international celebrities.

Among the names wheeled out during his keynote address to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) were movie legends Steven Spielberg and George Clooney, music stars Jay-Z and Bono – and even White House hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

All contributed to a comic video speculating on what Gates might do later this year when he steps down from his day-to-day responsibilities with the software giant he co-founded 33 years ago. Jokes about a potential political or musical career were contrasted with the reality, that he will be spending more time on his philanthropic activities at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Full article: guardian.co.uk