Microsoft unveiled its long-awaited vision for the future of computing and a new strategy for enabling its Windows software for the Web.

Microsoft executives at company headquarters here announced a new business strategy--called Microsoft.Net-- aimed at making Microsoft's existing software available over the Web to traditional PCs and to new, increasingly popular devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants. The company also will attempt to entice software developers and partners to Microsoft.Net by creating tools for making other Internet-based services. Such services could be customized for individual or corporate use. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates today said the goal of the plan is to connect every computing device, from desktop PCs to cell phones, and tie them to the Internet. In that scenario, all data will be synchronized, allowing consumers and workers to access the Internet, email, calendars and important files, regardless of what device they're using. The plan is to offer software over the Web as a service. The Internet's influence has been spectacular to date, but the pace of innovation will accelerate during the next five years, Gates said. "Our goal is to move beyond today's world of standalone Web sites to an Internet of interchangeable components where devices and services can be assembled into cohesive, user-driven experiences," he said. The Microsoft.Net strategy, previously called Next Generation Windows Services, will also revolutionize how people interact with their computing devices, Gates said. In the future, Microsoft will build handwriting and speech recognition into its software, allowing people to write notes or talk to computing devices, Gates said.