j allard
Latest
Xbox co-founder J. Allard is working on the Intellivison Amico
The exec who created the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live has joined Intellivision to work on its Amico console.
CNET details the death of Microsoft's Courier and Bill Gates' 'allergic reaction'
For those that follow the twists and turns of the technology news business, the Microsoft Courier has practically become the stuff of legend. First leaked on Gizmodo in the fall of 2009, the device was never even officially confirmed by Microsoft until it axed the project in April of last year. And while we wound up learning quite a bit about the dual-screen tablet despite that lack of official information, we never really got the full story of its rise and fall within the company. Now CNET's Jay Greene has published an extensive look at the device's short history, which he says was "pieced together through interviews with 18 current and former Microsoft executives, as well as contractors and partners who worked on the project." The story, as you might expect, is fascinating -- read on for some of the details.
Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios
Microsoft announced today that it has closed Pioneer Studios, a small contingent studio in downtown Seattle it has operated for the past three years, stating it's part of "a broad consolidation of workspaces over the last 18 months." The company also confirmed "most employees" have been moved to other locations "to continue their work as a team" so it would appear at least some dodged the axe. Formed by J. Allard during his days overseeing Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, Pioneer Studios was designed by local architectural firm, SkB Architects, to be a place where employees could "breathe a culture of innovation into the all-too-often stolid company." Basically, they came up with consumer gadgets like the aborted Courier. Pioneer was one of many idea incubation groups at Microsoft, including FUSE Labs, The Garage, Startup Business Group and The Hardware Incubation Lab. [Image: CNET]
Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios, we pour one out for J Allard
It's been about a year since he left Microsoft, but the J Allard era came to a more definitive close yesterday, with the shuttering of his brainchild, Pioneer Studios. Microsoft opened the incubation lab more than three years ago as an entrepreneurial space where designers could toy around with new consumer technologies. The tragically shelved Courier tablet was first developed within Pioneer's exposed brick walls, where Allard and his Alchemy Ventures team also worked on the Xbox, Zune and Windows Phone 7. Now, however, a Microsoft spokeswoman has confirmed that the downtown Seattle office is no longer occupied, telling CNET that many of the lab's employees have either left, or moved on to different positions within the company. Pioneer co-founder Georg Petschnigg left Microsoft in April to pursue an "undisclosed new venture," while fellow godfather Jonathan Harris is still at Redmond, where he serves as "principle experience director," according to their respective LinkedIn profiles. The spokeswoman didn't offer a specific reason for the decision, but in a now-ominous video posted to Microsoft's developer site back in October, Petschnigg acknowledged that the unit's innovative spirit would frequently lead to dead ends. "Often times our work just doesn't go anywhere," he explained, adding that Pioneer would only pursue projects expected to bring in more than $100 million a year. "That's one of the perils of being an entrepreneur." See the full video after the break.
Entelligence: Market caps and dunce caps
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide. The buzzword of last week was "market cap." To those unfamiliar, market cap is the total value of outstanding shares of a company, and on May 26th at around 3PM Eastern, Apple's market value reached $225.1 billion, surpassing Microsoft's $222.3 billion. Apple isn't the largest technology company around, but it's become the most valuable, and it's valuation is second only to Exxon in the US. Later that same week, Microsoft announced that Robbie Bach and J Allard, the head of its Entertainment and Devices group and the division's CTO, were both leaving the company. There's been speculation that these two events were somehow intertwined, but I don't think that's the case. In addition, as good as Robbie and J are, there's more to the E & D team than two people -- as grandpa used to say, the cemeteries are full of people who couldn't be replaced. Historically, Microsoft has always been two companies, the parts that made lots of money (Windows, Office, Server) and the parts that don't make money yet but might someday soon. E & D is the latest incarnation of the latter. Let's take a closer look.
Robbie Bach: Project Natal a 'midlife kicker' for Xbox 360, 'absolutely confident' Courier innovations will appear elsewhere
Now that the proverbial cat's out of the bag, Tech Flash has caught up with Robbie Bach about his impending retirement from Microsoft. In a far-reach interview, the former President of Entertainment & Devices Division says he made his ultimate decision just last Thursday, and that while he and also-gone J Allard "had been talking [Allard's] situation for awhile," the conversation never went both ways and the timing of the departures is "pure coincidence... serendipity." Bach further claims that it was his choice and was not asked to leave, and as for pundits who might've thought he was in line for one day taking the reins from CEO Steve Ballmer, Bach downplays that possibility and says he never had interest and such discussions never took place. But enough business talk, what about some of the projects Bach oversaw? There were a couple choice quotes we noted from the report. First up is Natal, a motion-sensing project that he views as a "midlife kicker for the [Xbox] 360." For those watching a calendar, that would give the console an approximately nine-year perceived lifespan on the corporate side -- from November 2005 to 2014. Of course, we could be reading too much into that, but we could certainly believe it. On the subject of Courier, Microsoft's now-cancelled internal tablet project, Bach is "absolutely confident... a bunch of that innovation will show up in Microsoft products." It's a stronger wording that what we originally read, and given just how excited we were watching that leaked video, we can only hope his prophecy is foretold. Do yourself a favor and take 15 minutes to read through the interview -- hey, you're welcome.
J Allard and Robbie Bach officially exit Microsoft
Xbox department head Robbie Bach and "Chief Experience Officer" J Allard (considered by some to be the father of the Xbox) will be ending employment with Microsoft this fall, according to an internal memo sent from company head Steve Ballmer and acquired by TechFlash. Allard will stay on in some form, serving as an "advisor" to Ballmer, though Bach will be outright leaving after nearly 22 years with Microsoft. "For the past 22 years, Robbie has personified creativity, innovation and drive. With this spirit, he has led a division passionately devoted to making Microsoft successful in interactive entertainment and mobility," Ballmer said of Bach's departure in the company's official release. And Bach expanded on his departure, saying, "I'm at the time in my life where I want to dedicate more time to my family and my nonprofit work, including my work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America." The shakeup additionally sees current senior VP of Interactive Entertainment Don Mattrick and senior VP of Mobile Communication Andy Lees taking new positions, reporting directly to Ballmer himself, while David Treadwell will now head the core technology group inside the Interactive Entertainment division at Microsoft. Oh, and as you might expect, no mention was made of the Courier in any of this. [Via Engadget]
Microsoft's Robbie Bach and J Allard leaving as part of broader shakeup; Xbox and Windows Phone teams now reporting directly to Ballmer
Well, it looks like the rumors were true. Not only is Microsoft's J Allard now officially leaving the company, but so is Robbie Bach, President of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division, amid what's described as a broader restructuring that will effectively dissolve the division and give CEO Steve Ballmer more direct oversight of Microsoft's consumer initiatives like Xbox and Windows Phone as of July. Contrary to earlier reports, Allard says that he's not leaving due to the cancellation of the Courier, but instead says that after nineteen years with the company, he simply wants to devote more time to his personal interests, "particularly adventure sports." Allard also insists that he won't be moving on to Apple, Google or any other Microsoft rivals -- in fact, he's staying on as an advisor to Steve Ballmer. Robbie Bach's departure is equally curious -- despite being just 48, his move is being described as a "retirement," and he says that the decision was his own and that he wasn't encouraged to leave. He'll also apparently remain with Microsoft through the fall to aid in the transition. When all's said and done, mobile communications VP Andy Lees and interactive entertainment head Don Mattrick will each separately report to Ballmer -- both have headed their divisions for some time now, so we'd assume that things will otherwise proceed as planned. Still, the loss of talent at the top is certainly noticeable -- we'll see how Microsoft responds now that Ballmer is firmly driving its mobile and gaming efforts. We've got Ballmer's full letter to the company and Microsoft's official PR after the break, so take a peek. Update: Mary Jo Foley has J Allard's parting email to his employees.
WSJ: Microsoft to announce 'major organizational changes' at Xbox division [Update: Bach goes, too]
Update: Welp, it's confirmed. J. Allard, along with Robbie Bach, have officially departed Microsoft. According to the Wall Street Journal, J Allard's rumored departure from Microsoft is only the beginning of the story. It's apparently part of a planned managerial shake-up at the company's Entertainment & Devices Division -- which includes both Microsoft's Xbox business and its Windows mobile group -- and as a result of stiff competition from Apple and Google in the mobile space. The WSJ posits that Microsoft could institute changes at the management level as early as this week. We'll keep you posted. Source - Wall Street Journal [subscription required]
WSJ: Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division getting a 'shakeup,' J Allard expected to leave
We were surprised enough to hear tales of J Allard possibly leaving Microsoft, but the Wall Street Journal is painting a bigger picture, saying "the organizational shakeup is broader than Mr. Allard's departure." We're taking that to mean there could be a larger changing of the guard here, particularly since the article is worded somewhat oddly and seems to imply the reshuffling could reach even Entertainment and Devices Division president Robbie Bach. As for Allard, WSJ reaffirms Mary Jo Foley's earlier report that there's a strong correlation between his departure and the Courier's swan song. An announcement pertaining to these moves is said to potentially come as early this week, so stay tuned -- this could be big.
Rumor: J Allard leaving Microsoft due to Courier cancellation
ZDNet reports that "a pretty reliable tipster" has informed them that J Allard, Chief Experience Officer of Microsoft and overseer of the development and launch of the Xbox 360, is "on sabbatical and is unlikely to return to Microsoft." According to the tipster, Allard was upset by the sudden, surreptitious cancellation of the Microsoft Courier, which Allard has frequently talked up since it was first revealed last September. Allard has been one of the main creative forces at Microsoft for ages, as well as one of the most charismatic individuals in the tech industry. It would be a real shame if these reports turn out to be accurate. We've contacted Microsoft to see if we can get a comment on ZDNet's report. [Via 1UP]
J Allard leaving Microsoft over Courier axing?
Well, it looks like the Courier's demise could be having some far bigger implications for Microsoft than anyone had suspected. According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft's Chief Experience Officer and CTO for its Entertainment and Devices division, J Allard, has been on sabbatical from the company for the past short while and is "unlikely to return" -- all due to the fate of the Courier. According to Foley's sources, Allard was "the champion" of the Courier, and had reportedly made his feelings about the device and its ultimate demise clear on numerous occasions -- including, of course, directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. According to another of Foley's sources, things eventually got so heated that Ballmer "showed Allard the door" because of their disagreements about the Courier's potential. So, did he jump or was he pushed? Microsoft isn't saying, and Allard is seemingly nowhere to be found.
J Allard's 'magic wand' patented ... years ago
Apparently Microsoft's J Allard is back in the gaming business, according to a two-year-old patent filed by Microsoft and released publicly this past week. Now a CTO at the company, Allard (along with a couple other folks) is credited on the patent for a motion-based controller from way back in November of ... 2007. Given Microsoft's recent purchase of Big Park and the vast array of motion-sensing camera rumors, we're betting this patent is old news. That being said, it would lend credence to the "Newton" rumors from last year surrounding the company -- a rumor we lent credibility to at the time based on the reputable source. All we can do now is hope that Microsoft isn't dead set on pulling a "Wii-too!"[Via Engadget]
J Allard's 'Magic Wand' patent application for Microsoft puts Nintendo, sorcerers on notice
It's been awhile since we've heard from J Allard; the man who assumed responsibility for Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division (think: Zune and Xbox) in mid 2008 in an effort to unify the experience into a centralized package. Now Microsoft's CTO and CXO (that's, Chief eXperience Office) has co-signed a patent application for a "Magic Wand" first filed in November of 2007 and made public just a few days ago. The patent application reads very much like a Wiimote, hand-held controller,"The architecture can utilize one or more sensor from a collection of sensors to determine an orientation or gesture in connection with the wand, and can further issue an instruction to update a state of an environmental component based upon the orientation." It's worth remembering that Microsoft has been rumored to be working on such a controller since at least August 2007. Something they've apparently scrapped for a camera-based solution that will allow gamers to control the action with their bodies and hand-gestures without requiring a hand-held controller -- you know, if current rumors are true. How many days until Microsoft's June 1st E3 press conference again?[Via TechFlash]
J Allard to be Dr. J, but not the Dr. J you're thinking of
If no one else will volunteer, we'll be the ones to say it: We miss J Allard. If Microsoft ever needed a bald-by-choice, too-cool-for-the-room-as-long-as-that-room-is-at-E3 spokesperson, it's now. But if The Man in The Hoodie and Sports Coat is ever returned to us, we'll need to address him as Dr. J Allard, or Honorary Dr. J Allard, if you want to be a dick about it.Allard's alma mater Boston University will give him the degree (which is just as authentic as his image) on May 17 alongside Larry Bird and Steven Spielberg. Will Allard mark the event by performing a Triple Lindy into the nearby BU pool? We can dream.[Via Giant Bomb]
J Allard, CXO, surfaces at Microsoft C-level
J Allard, previously of Veep stature, has been elevated to the position of CXO (Chief eXperience Officer) and CTO of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. That puts the man synonymous with the Zune, Xbox, and once questionable, 80's style in charge of "the technical architecture and user experiences related to products and services of the Entertainment and Devices (E&D) division." He's also cracking the whip on the E&D's "incubation team" responsible for scouting out new opportunities for the division. You know, like the Zune Phone, Xbox 360 with Blu-ray, and Microsoft Surface Sphere. Thus making him the most important man inside Microsoft... from our perspective anyway.[via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
J Allard gets an extreme new corporate title: CXO
The Xbox brand's shaved head daddy has just been graced with a corporate title change, one that's eXtra, eXtreme, eXciting!Mr. J Allard is now being referred to as Microsoft's CXO or Chief Experience Officer in charge of "technical architecture and user experiences related to products and services of the Entertainment and Devices (E&D) division" where he "oversees an incubation team that scouts new opportunities for the division." What that means exactly, we aren't sure. Though, we do know Allard's new CXO title has come in the wake of a the Zune brand getting a new corporate VP of which Allard used to be a part of. Now, the obvious question is whether or not Allard will use his experience and new CXO title to head up the Xbox 720 division. That said ... Bill Gates needs a replacement too.
Allard envisions a shared Zune and 360 network
J Allard and Microsoft want to be the king, no scratch that, the iron fisted media ruler of your living room and they firmly believe that the way to throne is by integrating everything.In an interview with the New York Times Blog, Allard discusses Microsoft's plans to connect the Xbox 360 world with the Zune's to create one massively connected content source. "The Zune guys have to run really fast. The Windows Mobile guys are on a two-year release cycle. The Xbox team now needs to focus on cost reduction, distribution and quality process. Everyone is on their own cadence. The one thing that transcends all this is the network as the nexus". Allard and Microsoft's plans are (undoubtedly) vague and somewhat fluffy in how they plan on executing an MSN style integration, but we'll just have to sit back and see what comes down the pipeline.And honestly, we're not sure if having our Xbox 360, Zune, Windows Mobile, MSN, IPTV and other super-amazing-Microsoft-product services wrapped up into one do it all service nexus. Yes, it's an interesting concept that'll aid in Microsoft becoming king of all digital media, but from a gamer's standpoint ... we just want games. Hopefully Microsoft can find the right balance of inter-connectivity without shoving services down our throats or bloating the system, because we're still about the games. Remember Allard, Xbox 360 is all about the games.
J Allard talks failure, hope, convergence of Zune and Xbox services
J Allard, the mysterious, bedreadlocked, Lex Luthor-ish cat behind the Xbox, Zune and Zune 2 (amongst others) sat down for a Q and A with the New York Times and revealed some deep feelings -- as well as future plans. Mainly, Mr. Allard talks about the hardships of dealing with record labels, the failure of the first Zune to penetrate the market, his hopes for the current generation of Redmond-anointed media players to kill, kill, kill, and the fact that a "Zune Phone" isn't anywhere close right now (though doesn't seem to be off the table). On the flip side, he hints at a future of merged Microsoft services, where you'll be able to order up music, games, and videos on demand -- all in one, centralized package. Says J, "Today we have Xbox live for $50 a year. We have Zune Pass at $15 a month. We don't have a rationalized premium version yet. Fast forward a little bit, and you can image a menu like DirecTV. There is basic, there is enhanced, there is movie pack and NFL Sunday ticket." Of course, right now it's just a crazy tripped-out dream floating around the mind of J Allard... let's hope it floats onto our screens soon.Read - J Allard: Microsoft's Plan to Be King of All MediaRead - J Allard: The Failures of the Zune and the Record LabelsRead - J Allard: Dancing Around the Cellphone Question
J Allard says no Zune Phone on the horizon, Zune tattoo guy weeps
The funkiest and freshest dude in Redmond, J Allard, has once again reached out to the people and dropped straight-up knowledge in regards to Zune Phone rumors. According to the report, during an interview with Reuters Allard shrugged off the chatter, saying that the company was focusing on the new Zunes at the present time. It would have seemed like a total dead-end, but the Microsoft exec then noted that the Zune was built on top of Windows Mobile, and added that the giant has, "The flexibility to take these in a different direction where [sic] our customers, our partners and we are ready." Sure, some new product would be nice, but let's be honest folks -- why would you need to make a phone when everyone is running your software anyway?
