Even though Bill Gates does not do any day-to-day job at Microsoft Corp., he is still closely involved into a lot of things that the company is doing and obviously keeps an eye on the world’s largest software developer. While there are a lot of bright things that have happened to Microsoft under Steve Ballmer’s leadership, Bill Gates is not satisfied with the innovation at the company.

“[Steve Ballmer] and I are two of the most self-critical people you can imagine. There were a lot of amazing things that Steve's leadership got done with the company in the last year. Windows 8 is key to the future; the Surface computer; Bing, people are seeing as a better search product; Xbox. But is it enough? No, he and I are not satisfied that in terms of, you know, breakthrough things, that we are doing everything possible,” said Bill Gates in a recent interview with CBS, reports Cnet News.

While Microsoft remains a leading innovator thanks to its vast product portfolio, it clearly made numerous mistakes in the most recent decade. Apple released three breakthrough products which eventually revolutionized the markets of music, software and communications, whereas Microsoft failed to create a competitive digital media player, smartphone platform and media tablet OS. Still Microsoft was smart enough to make a number of strategically important acquisitions, such as Skype.

In fact, Mr. Gates admits that the company made a number of mistakes when it comes to cell phones and that 2.4% market share of Windows Phone is a major concern. Unfortunately, since the co-founder of Microsoft is no longer responsible for Microsoft’s actions, he does not seem to have a plan how to correct the situation.

"There is a lot of things like cell phones where we did not get out in the lead very early. We did not miss cell phones, but the way we went about it did not allow us to get the leadership. So it is clearly a mistake,” said Mr. Gates.

Tags: Microsoft, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8, Windows, Windows Mobile