14 DAY TRIAL // Sources on the web indicate that Microsoft will be promoting Andrew Lees to senior vice president of the mobile-communications business. The man will be tasked with improving Microsoft's image on the consumer market for mobile devices, which of course means to take Apple's iPhone head on!
"Microsoft Corp. today plans to announce the replacement of the head of its mobile-phone group as part of a broader executive reshuffling, people familiar with the matter said," reads The Wall Street Journal.
According to the same source, the plan includes promotions for over 10 executives, while others are going to be leaving from the Redmond-based corporation. As such, Andrew Lees, currently a corporate vice president at the company's server and tools group, will be in charge of leading Microsoft's mobile-communications business, responsible for mobile phone software, said a person "familiar with the situation," according to The Wall Street Journal.
Lees replaces Pieter Knook, who is now retiring from his position with the software giant. According to valleywag.com, Knook allowed Steve Ballmer last year to say "There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance." Needless to say, it is reason enough to be asked your resignation. Then again, you never know what and who convinces a person that it's time to step down and get on with something else.
Although I like the iPhone very much, I can't say I'd mind Microsoft going head to head with Apple over it. After all, this only implies that Microsoft is going to bless the market with an even better device than Apple's phone, probably combining features similar to those of an iPod, a smartphone and a portable gaming device such as Sony's PlayStation Portable or Nintendo's DS.
That'd blow Apple's bubble a bit, wouldn't you say?