Microsoft re-org hints at Windows and Mobile merge

[*LTD*]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/24/microsoft_windows_mobile_sinofsky/

Microsoft re-org hints at Windows and Mobile merge

Time to join the grown-up OS
By Gavin Clarke in San Francisco

Windows Mobile could be destined for life inside Microsoft's main Windows operation following a re-organization of the division it currently calls home.

The Microsoft Entertainment and Devices division responsible for Windows Mobile and the Xbox will see work on its Zune software and services, Mediaroom IPTV, and Media Center merged with the E&D unit responsible specifically for the Xbox - Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB).

Corporate vice president Enrique Rodriguez, who'd overseen these three music and media activities has "moved on" from Microsoft, while Microsoft IEB is now be headed by senior vice president Don Mattrick.

Left hanging in all this, though, is arguably the biggest and currently highest-profile product effort currently inside Microsoft, and certainly inside E&D: Windows Mobile.

A commenter on Microsoft-watching blog Mini-Microsoft said Windows Mobile is destined to become part of the company's Windows business - Windows and Windows Live, under group president Steven Sinofsky.

The commenter said Sinofsky had pointed to E&D president Robbie Bach's "continued failure in the mobile space" during Microsoft's annual December strategy review.

A move to Sinofsky could happen.

Windows Mobile lost market-share to the Apple and Blackberry during the last year. Bach painted the subject as a problem of branding rather than business model or technology, but there are real questions over Windows Mobile's roadmap and its direction.

Sinofsky, meanwhile, is a strong performer and rising star inside Microsoft. His reward for successfully delivering Windows 7 in 2009 was the position of president of the Windows and Windows Live division offered by chief executive Steve Ballmer. Before Windows, Sinofsky ensured the consistent and reliable delivery of new versions of Office.

Mini-Microsoft has been a reliable source of information. Two years back, it reported signs of the company's first ever layoffs before they happened. The commenter made their remarks on Windows Mobile as "E&D is going through the biggest re-org the division has ever had."

Microsoft refused to comment on whether Windows Mobile is leaving E&D and is headed to Sinofsky's division.

 

[Eidorian]

Windows 7, Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player, the Xbox 360, and the Zune software give me some hope for Microsoft. It's just getting these groups to talk to each and coordinate.

 

[rhett7660]

Windows 7, Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player, the Xbox 360, and the Zune software give me some hope for Microsoft. It's just getting these groups to talk to each and coordinate.

From what I have read that seems to be the big problem among most large business/corporations.

 

[maflynn]

I think it makes sense, as others have stated. In any large organization, its not surprising the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

Microsoft has shown itself adept at changing its structure in the past to better achieve its goals as priorities change.

 

[Eidorian]

From what I have read that seems to be the big problem among most large business/corporations.

Vista's only shining gem in a quagmire of features was Windows Media Center. Once again it was the feature that won me over the most in Windows 7.

The Xbox is Microsoft's Mac and does go as far as to treat it that way.

They need the Zune, Windows Media Center, and Xbox teams to see if they can work directly on Windows instead of the add-on function nature of their products.

While I hate Games for Windows the integration with Xbox Live does make me want to get an Xbox 360 for games or a media extender.

 

[*LTD*]

Many people have been saying for quite some time that the Zune team should somehow be involved. I think Android's experience in the multiple-devices strategy will show MS the way forward.

 

[Eidorian]

Many people have been saying for quite some time that the Zune team should somehow be involved. I think Android's experience in the multiple-devices strategy will show MS the way forward.

I can almost import my iTunes library into the Zune software. There's an ID3 issue though where the Zune software wants to use different tags. Not to mention it doesn't run on OS X.

The Zune software itself isn't very customizable like WinAmp but it's attractive, animated, and does the usual job of song management. I do like the feature to pull song info though from audio files based on the ID3 info you do have. It'll even handle the more esoteric parts of my music collection.

 

[kdarling]

From articles like this, and from their group blogs/photos, I get the feeling that the Zune group is younger and hipper than the older WinMo group, which is why they want the Zune UI design team involved.