Today, Panos Panay the former EVP & Chief Product Officer at Microsoft, announced his departure from the tech giant after nearly 20 years. Panay played a pivotal role in the development of Microsoft’s Surface tablet and took on the position of Chief Product Officer responsible for the Windows business in 2018. CEO Satya Nadella commended Panay’s significant contributions, stating that he had left a lasting impact on Microsoft’s products, culture, the company itself, and the broader industry throughout his twenty-year tenure.
While this news sent ripples across the industry, it has now been revealed that Panay is set to join another tech powerhouse: Amazon. Bloomberg reports that he will be taking the reins of Amazon’s extensive hardware products division.
Panos Panay has played a pivotal role in the creation and success of Microsoft’s Surface devices. However, his decision to leave Microsoft signifies a significant shift in his career. He will not be presenting at Microsoft’s upcoming event, scheduled for Thursday. Instead, he will remain with Microsoft for a few more weeks as part of the transition process before officially joining Amazon.
His role at Amazon will involve succeeding Dave Limp, the outgoing hardware chief at the company. Limp, who has had a remarkable 13-year career at Amazon, announced his departure in August. Panos Panay will undoubtedly have big shoes to fill as he takes on this new challenge.
Panay’s responsibilities at Amazon will encompass overseeing the division responsible for Amazon’s Alexa and Echo speakers. While the exact job title remains uncertain, it’s evident that he will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Amazon’s hardware offerings. Both Amazon and Microsoft have chosen to remain tight-lipped about Bloomberg’s report, leaving many to speculate on what lies ahead.
In recent years, Amazon has been diversifying its hardware portfolio, extending its reach into various domains, including robots and home surveillance drones. The company is also in the process of acquiring iRobot, the maker of the popular Roomba robot vacuum, for a staggering $1.7 billion, pending regulatory approval. If the deal goes through, Amazon will have a formidable lineup of hardware products, ranging from Alexa devices to Ring doorbells and an array of smart home innovations.
