World's richest man and IT czar Bill Gates Friday unfolded his vision for ushering in a digital world where the power of computing will drive electronic products and services to enhance the quality of life at an affordable cost.

"The day is not far off when every electronic product will turn into a digital device that can offer multiple applications for every-day use by the common people. By using the latest software tools, we are in the process of developing computers that will recognise voice, script and visuals," the Microsoft chairman and chief software architect said addressing about 5,000 software developers and IT professionals.

"The digital revolution will enable businesses and individuals to make use of their smart phones, television, cameras and a host of devices to perform multiple activities. The convergence of technologies will enable product firms and service providers to expand their offerings at a lower cost," he said.

Gates showcased the $30-billion company's new application platform consisting of SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006.

The SQL Server and Visual Studio are the latest versions of Microsoft's database software and development tool. BizTalk Server, to be released next year, is a state-of-the-art product used for building business process integration solutions.

Gates said the advent of the Internet, Web services and Broadband connectivity had opened a host of opportunities to access information, data and products online.

With the power of desktop PCs and servers increasing in terms of memory and disk capacity, they are able to perform not only much faster, but also handle millions of transactions that were once the exclusive domain of super computers like the Cray machine.

Referring to the advance research being conducted to roll out Tablet PCs, Gates said portable PCs will transform the way people and businesses conduct their functions using WiFi, 3G to access a range of products and services.

"Over the last three decades, we have been able to provide computing power to about a billion people. The next challenge is to extend the same opportunity to the remaining five billion people the world over".

Gates also inaugurated the "Digital Lifestyle 2005", a three-day trade fair organised by the Manufacturing Association of Information Technology (MAIT) and Trade Fairs and Conferences International.

Earlier, the Microsoft chief launched a nationwide talent hunt here to pick the best tech students who will work with him at the global firm's headquarters in Redmond, Seattle.

Titled "Code 4 Bill", the contest will provide the best pre-final and final year student technologists an opportunity to showcase their talent and join Gates' technical assistants team for a year.

"India is the first country where students will get this opportunity to learn about cutting-edge product development and innovations that are powering the world by working directly with our product development and research teams," Gates said at the "Bill Gates Live -- Ready 2005" event.

Gates, who came on a four-day visit to India, was in Bangalore for just six hours before flying out of the country late evening. He came here from Chennai late afternoon.

His last engagement in the city was the inauguration of the company's global technical support centre where Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda were present.

Gates interacted with Singh and Gowda, besides the top officials of Microsoft India at the new facility.