Breaking News: Brandon Watson leaves Microsoft to head to Amazon

February 3, 2012 | By Surur

The face of the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, Brandon Watson, is leaving Microsoft to head to Amazon.

There he will be Director of the Kindle Cross Platform team, working on the product development roadmap for Kindle apps across all first- and third-party platforms worldwide, including the Windows Phone app and the Windows 8 app.

He told Mary Jo Foley “it was a hard decision, but the opportunity placed in front of me that was too big to pass up.”

No replacement has been announced yet.

At WMPoweruser.com we have had our clashes with Brandon, but the proof of his success is the 60,000 odd apps in Marketplace, and we can but regret his departure and wish him the best for the future.

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Anonymous

This is reason to celebrate. Brandon Watson was totally unacceptable
http://www.facebook.com/imperialdynamics Imperial Dynamics

This is reason to celebrate. Brandon Watson was totally unacceptable

rsgx

Howso?
Anonymous

Completely agree. I think Belfiore should be next.

They need new young bloods in there that are in touch with what mobile customers needs are.

Anonymous

Completely disagree. Both Joe and Brandon have been instrumental and cannot be replaced. You need to check your thoughts twice before you write nonsense here.

Emi Cyberschreiber

he was a cool guy, but honestly others can do a good job like him. now Nokia is making Windows phones and they are taking it a serious business with customes and developers, its not like we desperately need him. now i understand why i didn’t hear much about Brandon in these weeks. good luck for him though!

i only wonder since kindle fire = amazing and it uses android… now all he said about android and about Windows phone being better wont be true? lol that would be sad!

http://twitter.com/counterblow the person

Amazon doesn’t care about the OS, it just wants to sell content. I don’t forsee Brandon slamming Windows Phone in the future. Definitely I hope he Elop’s them.

http://twitter.com/TheBigM72 Samil Shah

I don’t get how Kindle is a big opportunity for a guy like him? Amazon has their own app marketplace but it seems pretty clear, their strategy is mainly to sell content, not to sell devices, not to sell advertising, not to cream off of apps.

Their latest Kindle innovation was cutting the cost – greater adoption so more people buy kindle books.
Anonymous

Brandon needs to “Stephen Elop” Amazon.

http://www.Ztitch.com Ztitch Developer

Next Kindle running on Windows 8? Sounds good!

http://www.facebook.com/modalove Joon JoonMo Hong

Makes sense lol, though it is true or not

Anonymous

why should he slowly kill amazon?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Olisaebuka-Maduka/1332058518 Olisaebuka Maduka

WP Devs all over the world will truly miss you Brandon. Goodluck at Amazon (and hopefully like MasterXan said you’ll ‘Stephen Elop’ them too, lol).
Anonymous

This does not bode well for WP7.
Anonymous

The Amazon rumors might be true… that Amazon launchs their own cell phone. That would be a good reason for Amazon to hire him. Phone might come out at end of year along with the Kindle Fire 2.
Anonymous

Brandon, thank you for all the efforts and good will! WP7 community will miss you. Like two other earlier comments, go Elop ‘em!!! Amazon may bring out that Windows Phone after all!

Anonymous

More likely a Windows8 tablet.

Anonymous

probably got double pay
Anonymous

If he’s going to be working for an Android-based Kindle, than I wish him the worst. Nothing personal.
Anonymous

lmao, wheres the reasons?
Anonymous

agreed
Anonymous

well Amazon and him will still be okay

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