Is J Allard leaving Microsoft?
J Allard currently stands as the Chief Experience Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division. He’s had a big hand in the development of the Xbox, the Xbox 360, and the system’s other features such as Zune. Sounds like the kind of guy MS would want to keep around, but rumor has it that J Allard might be leaving the company.
J Allard currently stands as the Chief Experience Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division. He’s had a big hand in the development of the Xbox, the Xbox 360, and the system’s other features such as Zune. Sounds like the kind of guy MS would want to keep around, but rumor has it that J Allard might be leaving the company.
According ZDNet, which cited a few unnamed sources, Allard was in disagreement with CEO Steve Ballmer over the cancellation of his latest project, the Courier Tablet. One source claims that it was Ballmer who “showed Allard the door”. Another source said that Allard is now on sabbatical and is “unlikely to return to Microsoft.”
The Courier Tablet has reportedly gotten close to production, but Microsoft pulled the plug on the project without sufficient explanation. Microsoft has already commented on the on-going rumor, and surprise, surprise, they don’t comment on rumor and speculation.