Browser route is the Gates way in leaked memo

A leaked memo by Bill Gates sent to selected Microsoft staff is dominating the tech news today. It sets out in clear and explicit language the way ahead for the company in the next five years. That way is through the browser and Web-based services.

The New York Times, Dave Winer and Robert Scoble have all picked it up. It’s quite a radical document and I give you a taster below in case you don’t want to click through to read it all.

Ray Ozzie, the recently appointed CTO, also has a leaked memo going the rounds ~ it’s a bit like waiting for a bus, isn’t it?

… to lead we need to do far more. The broad and rich foundation of the internet will unleash a “services wave” of applications and experiences available instantly over the internet to millions of users. Advertising has emerged as a powerful new means by which to directly and indirectly fund the creation and delivery of software and services along with subscriptions and license fees. Services designed to scale to tens or hundreds of millions will dramatically change the nature and cost of solutions deliverable to enterprises or small businesses.

We will build our strategies around Internet services and we will provide a broad set of service APIs and use them in all of our key applications.

This coming “services wave” will be very disruptive. We have competitors who will seize on these approaches and challenge us – still, the opportunity for us to lead is very clear. More than any other company, we have the vision, assets, experience, and aspirations to deliver experiences and solutions across the entire range of digital workstyle & digital lifestyle scenarios …

Plus ca change … . Also see Cringely.