Gates picks challenging year to leave Microsoft

Seattle PI | at | by Mike

Just as Microsoft's past year was characterized by launches, the next will be defined by a departure.

But even as Bill Gates leaves his full-time executive role, the company will be grappling with some of the biggest competitive challenges in its history, particularly on the Internet.

Here's our annual look at what to watch at the company in 2008.

GATES LEAVING, SORTA: The Microsoft co-founder is slated to end his day-to-day executive duties at the end of June, but he will remain chairman, and he's expected to continue working on selected projects.