Microsoft will restructure to shake up its struggling consumer devices division as the company tries to keep up with Apple and Google in the fast-growing smartphone market. The chief of its division, Robbie Bach, focused on mobile phones, videogames and other consumer devices is to retire and will not be replaced. Instead the heads of the two units in charge of games and phones will report directly to chief executive Steve Ballmer.

The company is losing ground fast in mobile and smartphones. Only 10 per cent of smartphones sold in the US in the first three months of this year run Windows software, according to retail research firm NPD Group. That is well behind Apple with 21 per cent, Google with 28 per cent and BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion Ltd with 36 per cent.

Microsoft needs to regain momentum in the mobile computing sector as Apple’s iPad and a host of competing slate or tablet devices are poised to reshape the software industry. (sourced from timesonline)

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