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The departure of Gates, who will remain the company's non- executive chairman, coincides with an escalating rivalry with Google Inc (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and other competitors who are using the Internet to chip away at Microsoft's software dominance.

With Gates taking a step back, the weight of Microsoft's future falls squarely on Ballmer's shoulders.

..."

"Microsoft just hasn't come up with anything all that innovative," said Andrew Loechl, director at Eagle Harbor Asset Management. "It's been buying up companies left and right for years, but it has not come up with anything internally."

WHO NEEDS INNOVATION WHEN YOU'VE GOT CHARM!?!