Ballmer unveils Microsoft shake-up, promising a 'single experience' for users

'No other company has such strength across so many categories today' he boasts

Steve Ballmer has announced a reshuffle of Microsoft's senior staff and departments, promising a tighter focus on guiding principles for the company's software and hardware output that will deliver a "single experience" for users.

"We realised our strengths are in high-value activities, powering devices and enterprise services," reads Ballmer's memo, entitled "Transforming Our Company", on Microsoft's news website.

"And we realized we could bring those strengths together in a unique, differentiated experience that will delight consumers and customers."

Changes include Julie Larson-Green becoming head of Microsoft's devices and studios engineering group, which will oversee hardware, development, music, entertainment and games. This effectively makes her the successor to former president of interactive entertainment, Don Mattrick, who is set to become CEO of Zynga.

Terry Myerson is in charge of operating systems and engineering systems group, and will take on many of Steven Sinofsky's duties, after the previous Windows boss parted company with Microsoft in November 2012, weeks after the release of Windows 8.

Kurt DelBene, president of the Microsoft Office devision, will retire.

Ballmer's memo states that the future "family" of Windows devices will include "a full spectrum of both partner and first-party devices", adding "no other company has such strength across so many categories today".

He also says that the company will "keep evolving our new modern look, expanding the shell".

"The bedrock of our new strategy is innovation in deep, rich, high-value experiences and activities. It's the starting point for differentiated devices integrated with services," writes Ballmer.

"It's at the core of how we will inspire ourselves all to do our best work and bring to our customers the very things that will make a difference in their lives."