Bach, Allard depart in Microsoft shake-up
Microsoft is undergoing a major shake-up at its Entertainment & Devices division. Both Robbie Bach and J. Allard are leaving the company, as Microsoft endeavors to revamp its fortunes in the consumer electronics market.
For all its efforts in the consumer electronics field, Microsoft is still very reliant on the Windows operating system for profits. And that clearly isn’t pleasing Steve Ballmer, the man charged with changing the company’s fortunes so that there is life beyond Windows.
Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices division is responsible for the Xbox 360 and games studios, the Zune, cellphone hardware and software, and any tablets that may emerge from deep within the company’s bowels. The Courier was to fill that particular void until Microsoft canned the project at the beginning of this month.
Although the Xbox 360 has been doing well, the other efforts haven’t exactly set the world alight. The Zune just cannot gain any traction against the likes of the iPod Touch, while the new Kin phones have been met with poor reviews. As for the mobile OS, after years of neglect, Microsoft is gearing up to unleash Windows Phone 7, but success is anything but guaranteed, despite positive previews.
So Microsoft is shaking things up in the E&D division. After two decades at the company, Robbie Bach, president of the division from its inception, is leaving. His position is not expected to be filled by anyone else. J. Allard is also leaving the company, and will be remembered for taking Microsoft into the games console hardware market with the original Xbox. He will be remaining tied to the company as an adviser to Ballmer.
Ballmer is now thought to be taking charge of the division himself, with a more hands-on role than he’s had until now. But whether he can pull off a turnaround in fortunes is really open to question.
Windows Phone 7 is a key product. If it fails to impress, then I haven’t a clue where Microsoft could go next in terms of the mobile software space.
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