The head of Microsoft Corp.’s mobile devices division, Juha Christensen, will leave the software giant to start his own company, which will focus on creating Web services for advanced wireless devices.
“We’re sorry to see him go, but are thrilled that he will be working with us as a partner moving forward in his new ventures,” said Microsoft in a statement. “His last day with the company will be Dec. 1, then he will take a month of paternity leave and start his new company on Jan. 1.”
The move marks another major turning point in Christensen’s varied career. During his four-year tenure at Microsoft, Christensen oversaw the development of the company’s smart-phone operating-system business, as well as its successful personal digital assistant effort. Indeed, Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system for PDAs closely rivals that of industry leader Palm Inc. Microsoft’s Mobile and Embedded Devices division scored $53 million in revenues in its latest quarter, largely on sales of the Pocket PC platform.
On the smart-phone side, Christensen managed to sign up a number of Asian manufacturers to build devices using Microsoft’s Smartphone operating system, as well as industry heavyweights Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Motorola Inc. However, Christensen’s departure comes at a critical time for the company, as it faces significant competition from Symbian and Nokia Corp., as well as worries that Microsoft will commoditize the wireless handset business as it did the personal computer industry.
Interestingly, Christensen hails from Mi- crosoft’s closest competitor in the mobile industry-Symbian. Before joining Microsoft, Christensen helped found Symbian and wrote the company’s first business plan. Christensen has also been at the heart of a number of industry battles, including Microsoft’s dramatic loss of handset maker Sendo, which filed suit against Microsoft after deciding to drop the Smartphone operating system in favor of the Symbian OS.
Just a few weeks ago, Christensen was on hand for the departure of another wireless industry mainstay-Thomas Wheeler, the former head of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. Christensen participated in Wheeler’s last keynote session at the CTIA Wireless IT show in Las Vegas and discussed Microsoft’s wireless services and software strategy.
“Information that was held in the center of an organization can now move into the fingertips of an organization,” Christensen said during the keynote session.
That Christensen is moving to a startup company focused on Web services is also of note. Microsoft recently signed a major Web services agreement with European powerhouse Vodafone Group plc. Microsoft said it will partner with Christensen’s company.
Christensen declined to be interviewed, and Microsoft declined to provide further information.
