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Nadella new Microsoft CEO

February 4, 2014

US technology and software giant Microsoft has appointed Indian-born Satya Nadella as the company's new chief executive. He's replacing Steve Ballmer, who announced his withdrawal in August of last year.

https://p.dw.com/p/1B2g7
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Image: Reuters/Microsoft

In naming Satya Nadella its new chief at the helm of the company, Microsoft picked a man who'd worked for the firm for 22 years and had been very successful lately in leading its cloud computing business.

That has been a new area of business for Microsoft which has traditionally focused on software installed on PCs rather than on remote servers connected to the Internet.

Analysts said they hoped Nadella could maintain the company's momentum in cloud computing while minimizing the negative impact from Microsoft's unprofitable forays into consumer hardware.

Turning the corner?

The new 46-year-old CEO will have to oversee a lot of catching up as the firm has been late in adapting to developments in the technology industry.

Microsoft's new Berlin center

Microsoft couldn't prevent Google from dominating online search and advertizing, and it had to watch Android and other devices growing aggressively, siphoning sales from the company's strengths in personal computers.

While Nadella replaces Steve Ballmer, company founder Bill Gates is leaving his chairman role, with board member John Thompson taking his post. Gates himself will assume a new role as technology adviser.

hg/msh (Reuters, AFP)