TechNews October 27 report (translated by Huang Yi): According to foreign media reports, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates made his first visit to Israel and in an interview with Israeli television he said that Microsoft is not afraid of strong competition from Google, and will upgrade its search technology in the next six months.
Gates said: "We are not afraid of Google, but we will have fierce competition. Google employees are excellent. However, Internet search technology is far from reaching its desired level. This situation is expected to improve within the next six months. Currently, Microsoft is making efforts, and so are Google and Yahoo."
From September data on website optimization services, Google holds a 45% share of the U.S. search market, while Yahoo! and Microsoft hold only 23% and 12%, respectively. Currently, Microsoft and Yahoo! are heavily investing in search technology in order to catch up with Google.
Microsoft has always been seen as a company that suppresses competition. In response to this, Gates said: "When you achieve success, there will always be some opposing forces."
Regarding whether Microsoft would expand its 200-person production facility in Haifa, Israel, thus creating more job opportunities for Israel, Gates avoided answering.
Israel is one of the world's major exporters of high-tech products, with half of its total exports being high-tech products. Many world-renowned technology companies, such as Microsoft, Motorola, and Intel, have established research and development bases there. Recently, Google also placed advertisements in Israel to recruit talent.