Newsletter Archives

• Qi Lu to head new Y Combinator China

  Posted on August 15, 2018 at 04:43 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Some amazing news about one of the smartest people in tech. Sam Altman announced:

  I am delighted to announce that Qi Lu is joining YC to launch and run YC China. I have been trying to recruit Qi for many years—he is one of the most impressive technologists I know.

  It’s an interesting career choice for Qi.

  Other Lu Qi, Qi Lu

• The ongoing odyssey of Qi Lu

  Posted on May 19, 2018 at 03:56 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Yesterday, Baidu announced that Qi Lu is leaving in July. That’s a tectonic event, from my point of view.

  You may recall that Lu left Microsoft in Sept 2016, under strange circumstances ascribed to a bicycle accident. At the time, he was in charge of Office.

  In Jan 2017, I was shocked to hear that he had become the COO of Baidu, a huge (current market cap $100 billion) Google-like company based in Beijing, with offices all over the world.

  Jordan Novet at CNBC reports:

  Lu said in the [PR] statement that he can no longer work full-time in China for “personal and family reasons” and will spend more time in the U.S. He will retain his role as vice president of Baidu’s board and will focus on research and development, although he won’t be working full-time for Baidu.

  I don’t think there’s any doubt that Lu’s one of the smartest people on the planet. He’s a superstar in applied AI. I also hear that he’s generally well-liked and highly respected.

  Wonder what he’ll be up to next?

  Other Qi Lu

• Dr. Qi Lu to run Baidu

  Posted on April 7, 2017 at 06:48 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Seems like it was just last September when Kara Swisher and Ina Fried at Recode mentioned that Qi Lu was leaving Microsoft as head of the Applications and Services Group, ostensibly because of injuries due to a bicycle accident. Lu’s always been a superstar in my book:

  Elevated to president of online services in July 2009, Lu was the only top exec who survived the Ballmer-Nadella transition. Seven years ago, Nadella was working for Lu. By all accounts, Lu wasn’t interested in taking over Ballmer’s job.

  This morning, the Wall Street Journal announced that Lu is going to take over day-to-day management at Baidu.

  I expect something miraculous out of Baidu. Watch.

  Other Baidu, Qi Lu

• Qi Lu moves to Baidu, becomes COO

  Posted on January 16, 2017 at 21:26 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  One of the most respected Microsoft execs ever, Qi Lu, has joined Baidu, according to Bloomberg.

  Almost four months ago, Lu left Microsoft, and the scuttlebutt had him departing for health reasons. Kara Swisher and Ina Fried at Recode said his health issues:

  “arose from a bicycle accident that took place several months ago, according to sources.”

  I posted at the time:

  The sources aren’t identified, and I haven’t found independent confirmation.

  He’s a helluva catch for Baidu.

  He fell off a bicycle in Seattle, and landed in Beijing. Details in InfoWorld Woody on Windows.

  Other Qi Lu

• Cortana should be dancing in the streets

  Posted on September 29, 2016 at 13:46 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Qi Lu leaves, Cortana and Bing to Shum, Office and Pall’s Skype go to Jha: This morning saw a breathtaking push to put Cortana in the driver’s seat.

  InfoWorld Woody on Windows

  Microsoft News Bing, Cortana, Gurdeep Sing Pall, Harry Shum, Office Products Group, Qi Lu, Rajesh Jha, Skype