Windows boss to manage Microsoft's hardware division, including Xbox One - report

Windows chief Julie Larson-Green is said to be in the frame to head up Microsoft's hardware division following Don Matrrick's departure for Zynga. Sources inside the company have claimed that Steve Ballmer is poised to reshuffle his executives into new roles imminently.

Bloomberg reported on insight given by unnamed sources within the company, and added that under Ballmer's alleged reshuffle, Larson-Green would oversee hardware engineering across the board at Microsoft.

The shuffle would also see Skype president Tony Bates in charge of Microsoft's acquisitions and the forging of relationships with the company's software development partners.

Ballmer's announcement could be made as early as next week, Bloomberg's sources said, and the new strategy will see Microsoft's focus shifted to devices and services.

The news follows Don Mattrick's departure for troubled social gaming company Zynga, which - according to analyst Michael Pachter - is said to have pushed EA's search for John Riccitiello's successor back to square one, as Mattrick was originally rumoured to be in the frame.

What do you make of the above? Could a shift to services and devices work for Microsoft? Does it sorely need a new visionary to head up Xbox One's strategy? Let us know below.

Thanks MCV.