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June 8, 2007 9:37 AM PDT

Microsoft's Mac unit gets new chief

by Ina Fried

Microsoft's Mac unit is getting a new boss.

The software maker said on Friday that Craig Eisler, a former Softie who rejoined the company in February, will take the helm of the Macintosh Business Unit, as the company works to finish Office 2008 for Mac in time for a release in the second half of the year.

Eisler replaces Roz Ho, who has led the group for several years. Ho is moving to an unspecified role in Robbie Bach's Entertainment and Devices unit, working on "special projects," according to a Microsoft rep. Eisler posted his own welcome note on Microsoft's Mac Mojo blog, noting that he's a big Apple fan.

"With Craig's deep background in technology and product development, his demonstrated business leadership, and his respect for Apple, I have every confidence that he will continue to drive a productive relationship with Apple and carry on the Macintosh Business Unit's tradition of delivering outstanding native Mac productivity software," corporate VP Tom Gibbons said in a statement.

Eisler worked as a development manager for DirectX during his first stint at Microsoft, then went on to serve as CEO of wireless software developer Action Engine and helped start AOL Wireless.

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
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Is Roz Ho responsible for discontinuing ALL free apps?
by gsmiller88 June 8, 2007 11:38 AM PDT
Like Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player? Not that I prefer
either of the two over their Mac counterparts, but some idiot
content providers just can't seem to think outside Windows!
Reply to this comment
speaking of wich
by wayland.ind June 8, 2007 12:41 PM PDT
the only free app left on the mac is MSN messenger; let's hope they
keep developing that cause nobody uses iChat (cause their on
windows). good thing Skype is picking up on the mac, but that's
not too popular either compared to Yahoo and MSN.
View reply
Hopefully They'll Be Back
by GatesOfHell June 8, 2007 10:47 PM PDT
... the free apps for Windows-only content providers.

In the meantime, just remember what happened a few weeks ago:
Two MS employees got married and used Windows to run all the
electronics during the services and the reception. It was so
beautiful when the bride and groom exchanged EULAs.
Unfortunately, since they were running Windows, they had the first
self-crashing wedding.
I'm confused...
by Betty Roper June 8, 2007 3:28 PM PDT
Such a bland, perspective-free blurb about Microsoft. So uncharacteristic of CNet. So... newsy.

Could it have anything to do with Microsoft's increased ad buy on the site?

.... nah.
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