Earlier this week, word got out that Andy Lees, the head of Microsoft"s Windows Phone division, was leaving that part of the company. In a memo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stated that Lees would now be focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8." While that might sound like a promotion, The Verge reports via unnamed sources that the move to have Lees leave Windows Phone"s leadership was in fact a demotion at Microsoft.
What happened? Basically, the report claims that Lees promised a lot on the Windows Phone side publicly, specifically how the mobile operating system would become a viable competitor to Apple"s iOS and Google"s Android platform. The final results, however, have yet to show that Windows Phone, at least for now, has gained any market share on iOS and Android.
Lees also apparently came into conflicts with other smartphone makers, according to the report. The unnamed sources claim that he had issues with working with Motorola and LG.
The report does say that Lee"s replacement as leader of the Windows Phone division, Terry Myerson, is "well liked" within the company and may be the person to help lead Windows Phone as it gets ready to release the minor Tango update, the major Apollo update and adding support for LTE networks to Windows Phone devices.