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| Steven Sinofsky: Windows division head leaves Microsoft | Steven Sinofsky: Windows division head leaves Microsoft |
| (about 4 hours 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. |
| However, one industry watcher suggested there had been talk of an internal "war" between Mr Sinofsky and chief executive Steve Ballmer. | However, one industry watcher suggested there had been talk of an internal "war" between Mr Sinofsky and chief executive Steve Ballmer. |
| Markets took the news badly, with Microsoft's shares ending the trading day on Tuesday 4% lower. | |
| The company said Julie Larson-Green would be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering. | 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. | "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. | He added that many observers saw Mr Sinofsky as a potential successor to Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive. |
| In a letter to all employees, published by Forbes, Mr Sinofsky set out to quell the rumours about his departure. | In a letter to all employees, published by Forbes, Mr Sinofsky set out to quell the rumours about his departure. |
| "Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read - about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership," he said. | "Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read - about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership," he said. |
| Sinofsky's exit, just weeks after the launch of Windows 8, raises questions about the future direction of the business, not least because he was seen as a credible successor to Ballmer. | Sinofsky's exit, just weeks after the launch of Windows 8, raises questions about the future direction of the business, not least because he was seen as a credible successor to Ballmer. |
| A 23 year veteran of the company, he was a familiar figure to anyone who attended a Microsoft launch, a polished performer explaining just why we should be excited about the latest innovations in the Windows operating system. | A 23 year veteran of the company, he was a familiar figure to anyone who attended a Microsoft launch, a polished performer explaining just why we should be excited about the latest innovations in the Windows operating system. |
| "It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft," he added. | "It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft," he added. |
| Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with research firm Gartner, said that Mr Sinofsky's were big boots to fill. | Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with research firm Gartner, said that Mr Sinofsky's were big boots to fill. |
| "The reasons why he left don't matter all that much but the big question is about how Microsoft fills the void," he said. | "The reasons why he left don't matter all that much but the big question is about how Microsoft fills the void," he said. |
| "He did a lot more than head up a division, he had a unified vision of Microsoft as an ecosystem, tying together the PC, phone, tablet, Xbox and online services. The ramifications of his departure are yet to be felt." | "He did a lot more than head up a division, he had a unified vision of Microsoft as an ecosystem, tying together the PC, phone, tablet, Xbox and online services. The ramifications of his departure are yet to be felt." |
| He added that the immediacy of his departure was "strange". | He added that the immediacy of his departure was "strange". |
| "You don't often see that at that level," he said. | "You don't often see that at that level," he said. |
| 'A new era' | 'A new era' |
| Mr Sinofksy's departure is the latest change at the top of some of the world's biggest technology companies. | Mr Sinofksy's departure is the latest change 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. | 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. | 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 market share - also hired a new chief operating officer in October. | Meanwhile, Yahoo - which has been trying to regain some of its lost market share - also hired a new chief operating officer in October. |
| In July the internet company appointed its third chief executive in a year. | In July the internet company appointed its third chief executive in a year. |
| Microsoft's Mr Ballmer said the changes in leadership were aimed at ensuring the firm continued to be a dominant player in the sector. | Microsoft's 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. | "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." |