[jphackworth]

One prominent chief executive told Fortune he'd heard from someone close to Gates that he might be considering such a move.

It's hard to imagine a less reliable source. And that sentence is the only real news in the article!

[JanezStupar]

That's a news speak for "Balmer said that Gates told him" but he wouldn't be cited on the record.

[herval]

How did u conclude that?

[JanezStupar]

Obviously this is mere speculation.

But this is a device often used in media, when somebody would like to release some information, but would obviously loose face doing so in person.

Whenever you read/hear that "sources close to X said...", It usually means that X said it, but would not be cited on the record. It's all about plausible denial and controlling one's image.

The device can be used to prepare public for some unpopular shift of policy, to test the reaction of people to information or just to prepare ground for some change.