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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Steven Sinofsky: Windows division head leaves Microsoft | Steven Sinofsky: Windows division head leaves Microsoft |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Steven Sinofsky, the head of Microsoft's Windows division, has left the company with immediate effect. | Steven Sinofsky, the head of Microsoft's Windows division, has left the company with immediate effect. |
| His departure comes just weeks after Microsoft launched Windows 8, the latest edition of its flagship product, seen as key to the firm's future. | His departure comes just weeks after Microsoft launched Windows 8, the latest edition of its flagship product, seen as key to the firm's future. |
| Microsoft did not give any reason for Mr Sinofsky's departure. | Microsoft did not give any reason for Mr Sinofsky's departure. |
| The company said Julie Larson-Green would be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering. | |
| "This is shocking news. This is very surprising," said Brendan Barnicle, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities. | |
| He added that many observers saw Mr Sinofsky as a potential successor to Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive. | |
| 'A new era' | |
| Mr Ballmer said the changes in leadership were aimed at ensuring the firm continued to be a dominant player in the sector. | |
| "The products and services we have delivered to the market in the past few months mark the launch of a new era at Microsoft," Mr Ballmer said. | |
| "To continue this success it is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycles for our offerings." | "To continue this success it is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycles for our offerings." |
| Mr Sinofksy's departure is the latest change to happen at the top of some of the world's biggest technology companies. | |
| Last month, Apple announced that Scott Forstall, head of its iOS software, and John Browett, head of retail, would be leaving the firm. | |
| The announcement followed problems with Apple's new mapping software and disappointing quarterly results. | |
| Meanwhile, Yahoo - which has been trying to regain some of its lost marketshare - also hired a new chief operating officer in October. | |
| Earlier in July, it had appointed its third chief executive in the space of one year. |