Microsoft Didn't Need the Man Behind Windows 8 Anymore

The timing of Windows 8 mastermind Steve Sinofsky's departure is starting to make more sense: Microsoft got the product it wanted out of him (Windows 8) and therefore doesn't need him anymore. At least that's the impression Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave last night while speaking at the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, California  "He’s made one of the most amazing contributions anyone will make to any company," Ballmer said, reports AllThingsD's Ina Fried. That includes putting out the recently released Windows 8, which runs in the new Surface tablet. Further, he said that the company will go "all in on what we've done ... from a strategy perspective." The one that Sinofsky helped create, of course. From what we know, so far, it doesn't sound like Sinofsky left because he had bad ideas. (Even though it's not clear at this point that Windows 8 or Surface was a good one.) The whisperers say it was more of a personality conflict, which Ballmer did not at all allude to during last night's remarks, only talking to his leadership skills. "He’s always recommended if you make a change, you make it on a product boundary," he said, alluding to the overhaul of Windows 8, which did just that. 

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It's hard to tell how well that strategy is going for Microsoft without any numbers from the company, however. Ballmer claims sales are "modest" for the Surface tablet, which doesn't make it sound like a hit. But, recent third party data shows it is selling well. As for Windows 8, the operating system that runs on more than just the Surface, to doesn't sound like that is doing too well, either. Analysts had mixed initial estimates on sales. And a recent poll found the US consumers are hesitant to make the upgrade. Maybe now that Sinofsky is gone Microsoft should consider not going "all in" on his strategy? 

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