Windows Phone poaches top Samsung executive

A senior Samsung executive has left the Korean giant to play a key role in shaping Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform.

Samsung’s vice president of consumer and enterprise services, Gavin Kim, will be General Manager of the Windows Phone team. “I will be responsible to help set the future direction for the Windows Phone platform and to accelerate Microsoft’s trajectory to win the hearts and minds of consumers, carriers, device manufacturers, developers and partners,” Kim told BGR.

Kim, who was key to the launch of Samsung’s much-praised Galaxy SII mobile phone, as well as the Galaxy Tab Tablets, said Windows Phone users were already fervent fans, but that his job would be to spread the message more widely.

BGR described the recruitment as “a huge score for Microsoft”, timed as the company is working on a second update to Windows Phone, building on the version 7.5 update, codenamed ‘Mango’ that will be pushed heavily by Nokia.

Kim told BGR he will work to make Windows Phone a top choice among consumers. “Each time a consumer goes to buy a smartphone from a carrier or retail store, Windows Phone has to be on their short list. And, with the Windows Phone 7.5 release, I think Microsoft is closing the gap rapidly and removing all doubt about their place in mobile.”

A Samsung statement said “Gavin Kim has departed Samsung Mobile and we look forward to working with him in the future. In his new capacity, he will continue to be part of the larger Samsung family through our partnership with Microsoft.”