Windows chief Steven Sinofsky leaves Microsoft
The head of Microsoft's Windows division Steven Sinofsky is leaving the company effective immediately, with rumors suggesting the circumstances are similar to the recent departure of Apple executive Scott Forstall.
Former President of Windows and Windows Live Steven Sinofsky at the Windows 8 event in October. | Source: Microsoft
According to AllThingsD, Microsoft's official stance is that Sinofsky is leaving on amicable terms, though people familiar with the matter said "growing tension" between the Windows chief and other executives may have helped move along the decision.
In a press release issued by Microsoft, CEO Steve Ballmer briefly lauded Sinofsky's previous work before noting the launch of Windows 8, Surface and Halo 4, among other company products.
?It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company,? Sinofsky said in the statement.
In a letter to Microsoft employees obtained by The Verge, Ballmer wrote that Sinofsky "decided to leave the company."
Sinofsky was instrumental in the creation and development of Microsoft's new flagship Windows 8 operating system, as well as Surface, the company's first in-house designed and manufactured computer. The former executive ruffled some feathers after the launch of Windows 8 in October when he called upcoming Windows computers great deals compared to "recreational tablets," alluding to Apple's iPad mini.
The executive's departure is similar to the ousting of Apple's former head of iOS Scott Forstall, who was also said to be difficult to work with.
Julie Larson-Green, who previously held multiple roles as she worked on Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office and a number of other major initiatives, will take some of Sinofsky's duties in leading all Windows software and hardware engineering. Current Windows and Windows Live CFO and marketing head Tami Reller will add the "business of Windows" to her responsibilities. Both executives will report directly to Ballmer.
Former President of Windows and Windows Live Steven Sinofsky at the Windows 8 event in October. | Source: Microsoft
According to AllThingsD, Microsoft's official stance is that Sinofsky is leaving on amicable terms, though people familiar with the matter said "growing tension" between the Windows chief and other executives may have helped move along the decision.
In a press release issued by Microsoft, CEO Steve Ballmer briefly lauded Sinofsky's previous work before noting the launch of Windows 8, Surface and Halo 4, among other company products.
?It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company,? Sinofsky said in the statement.
In a letter to Microsoft employees obtained by The Verge, Ballmer wrote that Sinofsky "decided to leave the company."
Sinofsky was instrumental in the creation and development of Microsoft's new flagship Windows 8 operating system, as well as Surface, the company's first in-house designed and manufactured computer. The former executive ruffled some feathers after the launch of Windows 8 in October when he called upcoming Windows computers great deals compared to "recreational tablets," alluding to Apple's iPad mini.
The executive's departure is similar to the ousting of Apple's former head of iOS Scott Forstall, who was also said to be difficult to work with.
Julie Larson-Green, who previously held multiple roles as she worked on Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office and a number of other major initiatives, will take some of Sinofsky's duties in leading all Windows software and hardware engineering. Current Windows and Windows Live CFO and marketing head Tami Reller will add the "business of Windows" to her responsibilities. Both executives will report directly to Ballmer.
Comments
Have you SEEN Windows 8/Metro? What a train wreck ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by lales
Forstell moves to MS. Sinofsky joins Apple.
No need for Sinofsky. Apple has Jony Ive, who could fart a grand design better than Sinofsky could ever dream of one.
If ones greatest contribution to an emerging art is a kickstand and detachable keyboard, then just leaving is probably an easy out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac_128
God I hope not.
Have you SEEN Windows 8/Metro? What a train wreck ...
Windows 8 Metro is actually a lot better than the Start menu. At least now everything is easier to get to and I can organize things a lot better than what I was able to do with the Start Menu.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jd_in_sb
Sinofsky is bailing out before the Windows 8 disaster causes sales to plunge.
How is Windows 8 a disaster though?
I guess that, when the software that you design locks up in the presentation that you give, you have to leave soon thereafter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psych_guy
No need for Sinofsky. Apple has Jony Ive, who could fart a grand design better than Sinofsky could ever dream of one.
A better design... You're right, because the iPad is such a great design.
I'm not an Apple hater just to clear the air, I own a few Apple products and I love Apple (especially when Steve was alive) but the iPad (from what I've seen) doesn't bring any innovation what so ever - unless you count making the same thing bigger (in this case, the iPod Touch).
I also love Microsoft and I think the Surface does bring more innovation than the iPad. I'm waiting for the Surface Pro in January and I can't wait to get it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devon Tourond
Quote:
How is Windows 8 a disaster though?
The reviews I have read have been generally negative across the board. PC Magazine was particularly harsh. People say it doesn't work well in the mouse & keyboards world - that it is touch focused. I have tried a non-touch-screen demo and did not like it at all. I am sticking to Windows 7.
It's just a jumble of confusing ideas trying to mask the same old flimsy underpinnings. It looks like a bunch of software geeks and sales guys came up with it based on what they thought looked hip to the youngsters, and did absolutely no consumer testing.
Hint: Sinofsy's been fired.
Groan.
Do us all a favor. Please. Just slink away.....
Steve also had some moments in his keynotes where things didn't go exactly to plan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anantksundaram
Hint: Sinofsy's been fired.
That doesn't mean Windows 8's a disaster..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devon Tourond
Quote:
That doesn't mean Windows 8's a disaster..
That's true.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jd_in_sb
The reviews I have read have been generally negative across the board. PC Magazine was particularly harsh. People say it doesn't work well in the mouse & keyboards world - that it is touch focused. I have tried a non-touch-screen demo and did not like it at all. I am sticking to Windows 7.
#next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }It's actually worse than that: eventually you HAVE to go into the "legacy" windows universe, where the interface is incompatible with touch (the icons and fonts are much smaller, it's almost impossible to do a precise press with your finger) -- I have a Sony Duo tablet, and it would be unusable if not for the stylus (which allows one to poke the small icons).
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