• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, November 8, 2013

Recent reports suggest that Microsoft continues to shorten its list of CEO candidates. One -- former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop -- already has big plans that would put a focus on Office products, as well as spin off or sell Xbox, and shut down the search engine Bing.

Elop, a former Microsoft employee, would return to the company to maximize sales of Office rather than use it to push Windows PC and tablet sales, reports Bloomberg. While the news agency reports Microsoft could sell off Bing if Elop lands in the CEO spot, the more likely scenario would see Bing dissolve into the Windows business unit and Bing Ads become part of the operating system (OS) mix.

Microsoft began integrating the Bing technology into Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone, and it also powers several Xbox search and app features. The integration gives Microsoft the ability for app developers to instantly integrate search into their applications, and brings million of people instantly to the search engine. It also could boost Bing Ads.

Search evolves, and it is technically feasible to integrate search engine technology into an operating system. "Just look at the integration of search and social into the mobile experience," said Jim Yu, CEO at BrightEdge, a search technology company. "Think about Apple Siri and automated assistants. We're starting to see all types of areas where integration happens."

Yu believes reports of Elop wanting to shut down Bing simply are a reflection of an evolving search industry.

Regardless, Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen apparently also believes that Microsoft should make some significant changes. He believes the next chief executive should consider spinning off consumer businesses including search advertising and the Xbox games console business, according to The Financial Times.