After about twenty years at Microsoft, the departure of Panos Panay, one of its most prominent managers, has taken many by surprise. Panay, an IT industry veteran who has played a crucial role in the development of Windows and Surface convertibles and laptops, will transition from leading Microsoft’s Windows and hardware-related areas to to be responsible for hardware at Amazon.
You will be in charge of an area that. Among other things, he deals with Alexa and the development of all the company’s devices. This is a division that recently suffered quite a few layoffs, as part of a restructuring operation to reduce costs and focus on relevant projects.
Among the equipment that he will supervise from now on, according to Bloomberg, are Echo smart devices, Fire TV streaming sticks, several tablet models and also the Kindle range of digital book readers. He will therefore replace Dave Limp in his position, who announced in August that he was retiring permanently, leaving his succession in the air. Limp will leave Amazon before the end of this year 2023. Amazon is going to hold an event shortly to present new features, and it just so happens that Microsoft has scheduled an event in a few days dedicated almost entirely to the new features of the Surface range .
Panos Panay started working at Microsoft in 2004, as a Group Program Manager. He then oversaw the development of Surface devices. He became known to the public thanks to his presence in the company’s keynotes, especially because of the detail and passion of his presentations. In 2018 he was promoted to Product Manager before moving up the ranks once again in 2021, when he was even named Executive Vice President of Microsoft. He has now confirmed his departure with a message on social networks.
After 19 incredible years at Microsoft, I’ve decided to turn the page and write the next chapter. I’m forever grateful for my time at Microsoft and the amazing people I had the honor to make products with.
— Panos Panay (@panos_panay) September 18, 2023
Upon his departure, Panay stated in a statement that he had decided “take a turn and write the next chapter» in his career, something he will do at Amazon. At Microsoft, meanwhile, Yusuf Mehdi will replace him at the head of the Windows and Surface teams.
