14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has lost several key employees in the last 12 months or so, and it appears that another top figure joined this list a couple of days ago.
Dean Hachamovitch, head of the Internet Explorer development team and one of those who had a significant contribution to the launch of Microsoft’s modern browser, is leaving the software giant after approximately 24 years with the company.
The reason? Hard to tell, but judging by his remarks, the new direction of the company doesn’t exactly match his vision for the browser.
Hachamovitch won’t take over a leading role at a rival company, but instead will become a technical adviser for LifeQ, a firm that invests in digital simulations of human physiology.
“I’m overdue for a change”
Hachamovitch joined Microsoft in 1990 but started working for the Internet Explorer team in 2003, when Redmond’s in-house browser was still dominating the market and its only rival was Netscape.
He, however, had a really tough time trying to relaunch Internet Explorer as a modern browser, mostly because of the growing popularity of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, but he is one of the pioneers behind IE’s adoption of HTML5.
In a statement for GeekWire, Hachamovitch explains that “I’m overdue for a change. The company really has changed a lot,” adding that “it’s a good time to get a different point of view on tech and life.”
In a post on his blog, he also says that “I’m ready to enjoy a different point of view on both tech and life, post-MSFT,” without actually providing more specifics on his decision to leave.
Hachamovitch joins an increasing list of top executives who decided to leave Microsoft, after Tami Reller and Antoine Leblond, all of which departed from the Redmond-based software giant as part of the internal reorganization that also brought Satya Nadella at the helm of the company.
New version of Internet Explorer 12 on the way
Hachamovitch’s departure comes in a critical moment for Internet Explorer, as the browser is about to receive another big round of improvements which could be all offered as part of version 12 in Windows 10.
According to sources, the upcoming operating system is very likely to pack Internet Explorer 12 as well, which will actually integrate a revised interface, as well as modern features, such as extension support.
Internet Explorer 12 will also adopt a new look, with a tab bar at the top of the screen, as was the case of Google Chrome and Firefox, as well as several under-the-hood changes supposed to help the browser retain its market share in this crowded app sector.
