The men behind the Xbox and Zune, Robbie Bach and J Allard, are leaving Microsoft. Signalling a massive restructure of the management of Microsoft?s struggling mobile division and Xbox/Zune devices. It?s been rumoured that Allard left due to the Courier projects cancellation. Allard denied this in an interview with TechFlash, and also said he?s not going to work for Apple or any of Microsoft’s competitors.

Ballmer said on the subject: ?J has brought a game-changing creative magic to Microsoft for years, from Windows to Xbox, from Zune to KIN. He was one of the key drivers in our early work on the Web, and we?re absolutely delighted that J?s role with the company will evolve in a way that lets all of Microsoft benefit from his business insight, technical depth and keen eye for consumer experience.?

President of the Entertainment & Devices Division, Robbie Bach, will not be replaced. All heads of the Xbox and Windows Mobile divisions will report directly to Ballmer as of the 1st of July. This restructure will give Ballmer more control of MS?s consumer products. ?For the past 22 years, Robbie has personified creativity, innovation and drive. With this spirit, he has led a division passionately devoted to making Microsoft successful in interactive entertainment and mobility. Robbie?s an amazing business person and close personal friend, which makes his departure a point of sadness for me. However, given the strong leadership team he has built, the business performance of E&D this year and the launches of Windows Phone 7 and ?Project Natal? this fall, we are set up well for success as we continue to drive our mobile and entertainment businesses forward.? said Ballmer.

So what does this mean fro Microsoft’s consumers? Microsoft?s mobile devices have been struggling to compete with the iPhone and Android devices as consumer focus has shifted to them. HTC has moved it?s high end products to the Android platform until the release of Windows 7. If this restructuring is a success we can expect to see some great advances with Phone7, Xbox and Zune. Zune and Windows phone have been struggling to gain market share, but the Xbox is running strong. Top games are continuing to be released on the platform and the project Natal controllerless game system for the Xbox 360 is to be released later this year.