Gates to quit active Microsoft role in '08

Microsoft chief Bill Gates has announced, his day-to-day role as head of Microsoft will end by July 2008.

Gates, 50, intends to give up his active role in the software behemoth he launched 30 years ago to devote his time to charity work for the the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates will continue as the company's chairman in an advisory capacity, post July 2008.