David McNamee
02-04-2004, 12:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/2100-1014_3-5152649.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/2100-1014_3-5152649.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news</a><br /><br /></div>Microsoft has added some new talent to the Mobile and Embedded Devices (MED) group. First off is Suzan DelBene. Ms. DelBene will oversee marketing for the Windows Mobile handheld and mobile phone software. She succeeds Juha Christensen, who left for Macromedia in November. She previously worked at Microsoft in the marketing group for Windows and Internet Explorer.<br /><br />Next is Ya-Qin Zhang, formerly head of Microsoft Research China. Mr. Zhang is now the vice president of development for MED group. With Mr. Zhang's background in streaming video (he worked on MPEG-2 and MPEG-4) and in wireless networking (MSR China houses the Wireless and Networking Group), there could be some very interesting developments coming to Microsoft's device platforms.<br /><br />Of the two, I believe that Ms. DelBene has the more difficult job. Palm's PDA mind share is beginning into creep to the phone market (more on that in a later post). There is also a very fine line for most consumers between the Smartphone and the Pocket PC Phone Edition. Ms. DelBene will need to formulate a strategy that sends a clear message shows the value of Windows Mobile over Palm, and also helps clear up confusion within the existing product line.