When it comes to deciding the future of wireless and mobile technology directions, the strategy of the market's biggest software maker is fairly simple: What's good for Microsoft is good for the computer industry. That go-it-alone strategy has sometimes been responsible for causing friction. Microsoft had only joined a few of the dozens of wireless industry groups, but the software maker moved to repair any disconnect with the wireless industry last week when it entered the ranks of the newly formed Open Mobile Alliance.

The move was part of a broader reshaping of the company's thinking. Until recently, Microsoft had been reluctant to join wireless groups. But that changed after Pieter Knook took over the reins of the group within Microsoft that creates much of the software for wireless devices earlier this year, adding to his duties as head of the Network Service Provider group. Knook is looking to grow the number of devices in the wireless market that use Microsoft's software. To do that he'll have to court network carriers, something that he was already doing in his old job, but now he'll have to juggle even more responsibilities.