Macintosh Business Unit
 | |
| Type | Operating unit of Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer software |
| Founded | January 7, 1997 |
| Headquarters | Redmond, Washington, USA |
| Key people | Eric Wilfred (General Manager) |
| Products |
Microsoft Office Microsoft Messenger Remote Desktop Client |
| Revenue | $350 million (2008)[1] |
| Employees | 180 (2008)[1] |
| Website | www.microsoft.com/mac/ |
Macintosh Business Unit (informally known as Mac BU or MacBU) is an operating unit of Microsoft that, as of 2009, is the largest software developer outside of Apple Inc. for the Mac OS operating system.[2] Formed on January 7, 1997 (with release of Mac OS 7.6),[3] it was formerly situated within Microsoft's Specialized Devices and Applications Group inside the Entertainment and Devices Division.,[2][4] with it now being inside the Microsoft Office division.
History
Prior to the Mac BU, Microsoft had developed Macintosh software – in fact, dating to 1984 when Microsoft released Word 1.0 for Macintosh. However, with the rise and dominance of Windows in the 1990s, there have been fears that Microsoft might stop developing Macintosh versions of key products, notably Microsoft Office.[citation needed] Thus, Mac BU was established in 1997 with a five-year commitment by Microsoft to continue developing and supporting Macintosh software – a pledge most recently renewed on January 10, 2006 at the Macworld Conference & Expo.[citation needed] Roz Ho served as the General Manager (GM) from December 18, 2002 to June 8, 2007, at which point Craig Eisler became the GM.[5][6]
Software
Mac BU develops Macintosh versions of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Messenger, and Remote Desktop Client.[7] Previously developed software by the Mac BU include Internet Explorer (development ceased in 2003),[8] Virtual PC,[9] and the MSN for Mac OS X browser (cancelled May 31, 2005).[10]
References
- References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jon Fortt (March 25, 2008). "Microsoft looks to cash in on the iPhone". Fortune: Big Tech Blog. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Oliver, Sam (April 2, 2009). "Microsoft optimistic about Office making its way to iPhone". AppleInsider. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
- ↑ Microsoft (January 7, 1997). "Microsoft Announces New Macintosh Product Unit". Microsoft press release. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ↑ "Microsoft 2010 form 10-K". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 2010-07-30. p. 8. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
- ↑ Microsoft (December 18, 2002). "Microsoft Appoints Seasoned Leader as Macintosh Business Unit General Manager". Microsoft press release. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ↑ Craig Eisler (June 8, 2007). "Hello from the new General Manager of the Macintosh Business Unit - Craig Eisler". Retrieved 2007-06-10.
- ↑ "Mac BU Official site". 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
- ↑ Microsoft (October 2006). "Internet Explorer for Mac no longer available for download". Microsoft.com. Archived from the original on 2007-03-03. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
- ↑ Peter Cohen (August 7, 2006). "WWDC: Microsoft kills Virtual PC for Mac". Macworld. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
- ↑ Fried, Ina (March 11, 2005). "Microsoft to kill MSN for the Mac". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2010-08-30.