As part of a blog post today, Microsoft board of directors member John Thompson talked up the Xbox One's recent global launch, saying its release is an example of Microsoft pushing its business forward. Speaking about Microsoft's employees, Thompson said the board appreciates their "continued focus and commitment."

　　"Microsoft has continued to drive hard," he said. "Our employees produced strong quarterly results, announced in October. They released new versions of Windows, our Surface products, and many other offerings. And the launch of Xbox One was experienced around the world."

　　Microsoft launched the Xbox One in November and has sold more than 2 million systems so far.

　　Also in the blog post, Thompson addressed the ongoing search for a replacement for Steve Ballmer as Microsoft CEO, saying the selection process is expected to be complete in early 2014.

　　When Ballmer announced his retirement in August 2013, he said he would retire from Microsoft within 12 months. Microsoft has had only two CEOS in its 38-year history: Bill Gates and Ballmer.

　　A past report suggested Microsoft would name a successor to Ballmer by the end of 2013.

　　Explaining the search process, Thompson said after defining criteria for a replacement, the company searched across across many different industries and skill sets.

　　Over 100 possible candidates were identified, and Microsoft spoke with "several dozen," before narrowing its focus on a group of 20 individuals, all of whom are "extremely impressive in their own right," Thompson said.

　　Microsoft has not spoken publicly about any candidates that it may be considering, but the rumor mill has churned out numerous individuals. These include Ford CEO Alan Mulally, described as the frontrunner; as well as Microsoft enterprise head Satya Nadella.

　　Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, who joined Microsoft in September when the company purchased the handset maker's mobile business for $7.2 billion, is also considered a top candidate. If he gets the job, he will reportedly consider selling the Xbox business.

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