The WSJ solidifies an intriguing post by Mary Jo Foley last week that J. Allard, the guy behind the Xbox, Zune and Courier – or more formally, the Chief Experience Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft’s E&D division – is leaving after Steve Ballmer killed the Courier tablet project.
The WSJ says Allard is “is expected to leave that role” as part of “major organisational changes” at E&D, the division responsible for Xbox, Zune and Windows Phone (including Kin). E&D supposedly suffered cuts about a year and a half ago because of ballooning costs.
It’s true, Microsoft is desperately behind in mobile phones. Windows Phone 7 won’t ship until after iPhone 4.0 or Android 2.2 – maybe even Android 2.3. And even tablet computers (iPad, Android, HP’s rumoured webOS tablet projects). But losing someone who’s roundly acknowledged to be one of their most visionary executives – from a company who so desperately needs vision – doesn’t seem like a good way to shake things up. At least from our twirly armchairs. [WSJ, ZDNet]
FJC
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:45 PMSucks really, Microsoft lost a potential customer. Was so willing to wait for the Courier, but since they cancelled it, I decided to preorder an ipad instead :D. Already bought on ebay the Dagi stylus for precision, now all i need to get is a good note/sketch-taking app and I’ll have the closest thing to a courier :D.
Craig Helensborough
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 9:04 PMJ Allard didn’t want to work on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.
It shows a collapse in confidence in Microsoft’s mobile division, which has a bleak future.
Android and iPhone have now taken the market to themselves.
Carl
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 8:08 AMWith such a stronghold on the market Iphone will continue to strive ahead until the next big thing. Do you recall how good nokia had it in 96-2002, then blackberry had a crack, now ipad. love my toys