When Steven Sinofsky announced his departure from Microsoft late yesterday, reports quickly began to circulate that he left either because he was difficult to work with or because Microsoft was unhappy with Windows 8"s direction.
While those reports are possible, it"s also possible Sinofsky left for other, more mysterious reasons. Here are just a few of the theories that attempt to dissect the real reason for Sinofsky"s exit.
One theory regarding the supposedly mutual split was quickly debunked by our own Andy Weir.
Despite persistent rumours to the contrary, Steven Sinofsky has NOT left Microsoft to replace @bdsams as Senior News Editor for Neowin.
— Andy Weir (@gcaweir) November 13, 2012
TechCrunch"s MG Siegler found out the Lakers have hired Sinofsky instead of Phil Jackson.
Sinofsky is the new coach of the LakersI knew it.
— MG Siegler (@parislemon) November 13, 2012
While others were theorizing why Sinofsky left, one man made suggested it could make for a potentially seismic shake-up in the tech industry.
It would be hilarious if Apple hired Sinofsky and Microsoft hired Forstall. Like, as a part of some sort of drunken CEO bet.
— Philip Michaels (@PhilipMichaels) November 13, 2012
Yet another theory is that Forstall and Sinofsky are actually joining forces to combine their signature styles.
Steven Sinofsky and Scott Forstall are joining forces to sell Linux machines. Skeumorphic tiles that won’t run anything you care about.
— Eric Portelance (@eportelance) November 13, 2012
...or perhaps Sinofsky was forced out because Microsoft was just following Apple"s lead, Walt Mosspuppet believes.
Man, Microsoft Copies EVERYTHING Apple Does. bit.ly/ZjaoT3
— Walt Mosspuppet (@mosspuppet) November 13, 2012
According to Business Insider"s Steve Kovach, Sinofsky may merely be leaving to focus more time on his true passion: skateboarding.
Sinofsky hops on his Surface skateboard. Flashes peace sign. "Later bros," he says as he skates into the sunset on Live Tiles.
— Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) November 13, 2012
Chris Ziegler of The Verge recalls Sinofksy"s exit a little differently, however.
steven scrawled "WINDOWS NO H8" on the fogged window as his train departed bellevue station, a single tear rolling down his weathered cheek
— Chris Ziegler (@zpower) November 13, 2012
Peter Bright of Arstechnica thinks the outcome of a recent political race could have sealed Sinofsky"s fate.
"Sinofsky latest in series of Obamacare-related layoffs."
— Peter Bright (@DrPizza) November 13, 2012
Neowin"s former senior news editor Brad Sams, now the operator of Winsyde, believes the timing of Sinofsky"s exit is oddly coinciding with a recent game launch.
The real reason Sinofsky left Microsoft is that he wants to play COD: Black Ops II all day tomorrow.
— Brad Sams (@bdsams) November 13, 2012
Perhaps the best theory for the Sinofsky/Microsoft split came from Tom Restman.
My understanding is that Sinofsky *also* refused to sign the apology letter for Apple’s Maps app.
— Tom Reestman (@treestman) November 13, 2012