Microsoft taps wireless exec for Windows post

Gearing up for a major Windows update next year, Microsoft has named an AT&T Wireless executive to head product management for its flagship.

In an announcement late Monday night, the software maker said it has hired Michael Sievert as corporate vice president for Windows product management. Sievert replaces Tom Button, who the company said has been on a leave of absence for "family medical reasons." The company said it expects Button to return to the company in a new role.

"Mike brings to the Windows product management team broad industry experience and deep insight into driving marketing excellence," Will Poole, a Microsoft senior vice president, said in a statement.

Sievert had been AT&T Wireless' executive vice president and chief marketing officer since 2002. Prior to that he was executive vice president and chief global marketing and sales officer at E*Trade Financial and also had posts at IBM and Procter & Gamble.

One of Sievert's major responsibilities will be preparing for the launch of Longhorn, the next major release of Windows, which Microsoft reiterated on Monday is still slated for launch next year. Microsoft has promised to deliver by midyear a beta, or test version, of Longhorn.