sinofsky

Sinofsky's departure due to politics or products?

In the hours following word of Windows President Steven Sinofsky's immediate departure from the company , speculation swirled as to the "real" reasons for the move.

A number of folks on Twitter and e-mail opined that they believed supposed poor early sales of Windows 8 and/or the Surface RT were to blame. I'm betting many Microsoft watchers on Wall Street will react similarly. Windows 8 launched commercially just about three weeks ago; it's too soon to judge if the latest Windows release and the Microsoft Surface tablet will be deemed successes or failures. And still … Read more

As Sinofsky departs Microsoft, the wits flood Twitter

Observers describe Steven Sinofsky as many things -- brilliant, arrogant, abrasive, demanding -- check out this terrific profile my CNET colleague Jay Greene did in October -- but who would have thought the departing Windows boss would inspire such an outpouring of Twitter wit (Twit?). Within minutes of this evening's surprise announcement that Sinofsky had left Microsoft immediately, the wisenheimers flooded the transom with their apercus. The following is just a sample:

Overheard (made up by me) ... Sinofky was having an affair with Mrs. Petreaus ...cc @adamnash and @owenthomas

— howardlindzon (@howardlindzon) November 13, 2012

For the record I have … Read more

Sinofsky's memo regarding his departure from Microsoft

Microsoft announced the immediate departure of Windows President Steven Sinofsky this evening. Minutes after Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sent an e-mail to employees regarding the departure, Sinofsky responding with the following e-mail to employees:

From: Steven Sinofsky Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 5:42 PM To: Microsoft - All Employees (QBDG) Subject: RE: Windows Leadership Changes

With the general availability of Windows 8/RT and Surface, I have decided it is time for me to take a step back from my responsibilities at Microsoft. I've always advocated using the break between product cycles as an opportunity to reflect and … Read more

Shocked by exit of Microsoft's Sinofsky? You shouldn't be

Anyone who is surprised by Steven Sinofsky's departure as Windows boss at Microsoft wasn't paying attention.

As I wrote in a profile of Sinofsky last month, the now-former Windows boss had been sparring with other Microsoft executives, including Chief Executive Steve Ballmer. Sources said at the time that the company's senior leadership was increasingly concerned about Sinofsky's inability to work across divisions at Microsoft.

Working with other groups is becoming more and more crucial for Microsoft, as it weaves its consumer offerings together. The company is racing to make Windows work well with Windows Phone and … Read more

Meet Julie Larson-Green, the new head of Windows

I don't know the back story here, but here's what I do know: Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky is leaving Microsoft, effective immediately -- just days after launching his babies, Windows 8 and the Microsoft Surface. And the new head of Windows is Julie Larson-Green.

As my CNET colleague Jay Greene reported, Microsoft is saying Sinofsky's departure was mutually agreed upon. Sinofsky is leaving to pursue other unspecified interests.

In the shakeup, announced this evening, Microsoft said Larson-Green will be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering. Tami Reller will continue on as chief financial officer … Read more

Ballmer's memo announcing Steven Sinofsky's departure

Microsoft announced the immediate departure of Windows President Steven Sinofsky this evening. The following is the internal e-mail Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sent to employees regarding Sinofsky's departure:

From: Steve Ballmer Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 5:16 PM To: Microsoft - All Employees (QBDG) Subject: Windows Leadership Changes

Over the past few months we have delivered the foundation for a new era for Microsoft. From Office to Bing to Windows Phone and Windows Azure, to Xbox and of course Windows and Surface and everything in between, we've unleashed a huge wave of devices and services that people … Read more

Controversial Windows boss Steven Sinofsky leaves Microsoft

Steven Sinofsky, the Microsoft executive who turned its Windows franchise around and just led the effort to release Windows 8, is leaving the company, effective immediately.

Sinofsky, a controversial figure at the company, was the subject of a recent CNET profile that explored his polarizing ways. Insiders said he was warring with Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.

The company said the decision behind Sinofsky's departure was mutual, thought the abruptness of the announcement might suggest otherwise.

"I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company," Ballmer said.

Sinofsky was equally … Read more

A tale of two execs: Microsoft's Sinofsky and Apple's Forstall

The company's legendary co-founder was his mentor, and in many ways he embodied what's good and bad about his employer. He had a habit of picking political fights with fellow executives, many of whom say he zealously promoted his group's work at the expense of the rest of the company.

Am I talking about Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky, the Windows chief who was onstage last week for the launch of Windows 8, or Apple's Scott Forstall, the iOS software chief who is being shown the door after the disappointment of Apple maps (and perhaps making too … Read more

After 1.2 billion hours of user testing, Windows 8 is good to go

After several years of development, now it's your turn to vote for or against Windows 8 with your wallet. Windows 8 goes on sale around the world at 12:01 a.m. local time, with an upgrade price as low as $39.95.

"This is the best release of Windows ever," Microsoft Windows chief Steven Sinofsky said at the Windows 8 launch event in New York today. He noted that Windows 8 has been heavily road-tested, with 1.24 billion hours of pre-release testing across 190 countries.

Read: Full coverage of Windows 8

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