Steve Ballmer will retire from his role as CEO at Microsoft within twelve months, after the selection process for his successor is completed, though he will stay as CEO in the meantime to “lead Microsoft through the next steps of its transformation to a devices and services company that empowers people for the activities they value most.”
“Now is the right time” said Ballmer, “We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization,” referring to the companies transformation to a devices and services company. “We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”
A committee, chaired by the board’s director and including Bill Gates, has been appointed to direct the process of choosing a new CEO, and plan to consider both external and internal candidates.
This comes soon after Don Mattrick, the now ex-president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment division left the company to work at Zynga. There’s no telling how this will affect the future of Xbox, with Microsoft’s latest console – the Xbox One – releasing in November.
Source: Press Release
philzy85
A new product about to be released and everyone is jumping ship, quite amusing to be honest
HunterGatherer
Will they even want to continue down the road of a hardware company that haemorrhages money? Chances are they will go back to the software roots where they belong, and where their money and profits are.
Who wants to bet this is the end of the road for the Xbox, Zune, Windows Phone adventures?
yiddo
R.I.P Balmer gifs.
Starman
I do wonder how much input some of these chiefs execs really have. None of them seem to have a clue what’s going on most of the time.
Amphlett
Xbone’s releasing in November? Is that confirmed?
Eldave0
Its definitely out in November, we just don’t have an exact date yet.
HunterGatherer
It’s not confirmed, and Microsoft’s silence on release dates suggests it’s likely they won’t hit that.
Sony went through FCC approval for the PS4 over a month ago:
https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=2022201
Microsoft haven’t as yet got anywhere close to that. This suggests that Sony are AT LEAST a month further down the approval and release chain than Microsoft are.
yiddo
This. I expect the Xbox One to get pushed further back as we get closer to the release date. They are having manufacturing problems, so I can’t see them hitting their target.
bunimomike
Interesting with them reducing the number of countries it’s going to launch in. Means they’re in a bit of a flap but it might now be under control. If not, as you say, things will slide or more countries loose the November release window.
bunimomike
By the way, we’re not authorised to view that web page. Shame.
HunterGatherer
Try this link
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=583848&fcc_id=AK8CUH100C1
Dar-Kaus
I think MS are being less than honest about the full extent of their manufacturing issues, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if those 13 remaining counties drops below 10 and they are forced to push back into December for their launch window.
a inferior race
After the x1 debacle and Windows 8 being widely panned, it would make sense for the CEO to go.
HunterGatherer
Don’t forget Windows Phone flop, Zune, Microsoft Kin, Original Xbox and so on.
a inferior race
I wouldn’t say the original Xbox was a flop. It served it’s purpose.
beeje13
He was a good laugh, but I suppose that it’s best for the company if he goes. It will take more than him to sort the mess out though.
CrawFail
He’s a baffoon and an embarrassment to the company in a personality sense.
I’m sure he’s done some good with them but not seeing a good thing when it slaps them on the face (iDevices, all of which were laughed off by him) and the subsequent band wagon jumping when it was faaaar to late makes me think for the sake of the company he’s best as far away from it as possible.
DividSmythe
I think it’s quite crazy that the shares shot up 7% at the end of day. I’m sure BBC said 9% on the news last night.