Microsoft may be looking to the future with Mango, but Windows Phone's slower than expected start has had a financial impact on CEO Steve Ballmer.
According to a filing with securities regulators, Ballmer took home a bonus of $682,500 for fiscal year 2011 a figure that matches his actual salary, but is somewhat down on the $1.37 million he was eligible for.
The reason? Ballmer's annual bonus is tied to Microsoft's performance, and Windows Phone's failure to fly out of the blocks kept his reward in check.
Phoney success
Indeed, it's the second year a phone's performance or, rather, lack of has had an impact on Ballmer's bank balance.
Last year his bonus yet again went no further than his actual salary thanks to Microsost's Kin the firm's attempt to roll out a range of phones aimed at users of social networks.
Poor sales in the US post launch resulted in the handset's roll out in Europe being canned, and the project as a whole folded into Windows Phone.
Official Windows Phone sales figures are not known, but Gartner estimates the OS accounted for 1.6 percent of the global smartphone market in Q2 2011.
Making Kinections
However, while the filing also made reference to the impact iPad is having on Microsoft's Windows business noting "the need for further progress in new form factors" such a tablets Ballmer was praised for the success the firm enjoyed with the launch of Kinect, which became the fastest selling consumer electronics device in history.
Microsoft has also enjoyed success with its Google search rival Bing, which ships with all Windows Phone handsets, plus the firm's strategic partnership with Finnish giant Nokia earned praise.
Ballmer will be looking for an improvement to his bonus next year if only as a sign of Microsoft's health with the first Nokia Windows Phones expected out before the end of 2011, and Windows 8 tablets from next spring.
[source: Reuters]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
News
May 18th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games E12 - Xbox's mobile games store and Unity vs. AppLovin
Top Stories
News
8 hours, 51 minutes ago
Will your players earn you the Pocket Gamer People's Choice Award 2024?
News
11 hours, 19 minutes ago
NetEase’s Once Human opens up mobile pre-registrations after 13 million on PC
Feature
10 hours, 18 minutes ago
Case study: How Supercent’s games made it to the top in a stagnating hypercasual market
Feature
12 hours, 16 minutes ago
“There has been an increase in funding opportunities for African developers with more exciting times to come"
Events
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
For The Win 2024 | Europe | May 29th |
Unreal Fest Gold Coast 2024 | Australasia | May 29th |
Indie Craft K-Game Festival 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
GDCy Fest 2024 | May 31st |