Windows and Surface team-lead joins Amazon

Panos Panay unveils the Surface Pro in Shanghai in 2017. © Microsoft.

Panos Panay, in charge of Surface’s hardware line from the very beginning and of Windows development since 2020, suddenly left Microsoft about ten days ago, just before the presentation event for the new Surface products. His role has been filled by Yusuf Mehdi, director of consumer marketing, a face we know from his presentations of most of the company’s major announcements related to generative AI.

Today we learn that Panay is joining Amazon to take over the reins of the hardware division, replacing David Limp, who, last August, announced his intent to leave Amazon. “As a strong product builder and inventor who has deep experience in both hardware and integrated services, Panos will be a great addition to our devices and services organization moving forward,” writes Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in a note to employees. Panay will begin in late October alongside Limp, who will on-board him for the next few months. Limp is not retiring, however. In December, he will take over at Blue Origin, the space company owned by Amazon’s former CEO Jeff Bezos.

⇨ Ars Technica, Andrew Cunningham, “Panos Panay, leader of the Surface and Windows teams, is leaving Microsoft.”

⇨ The Verge, Emma Roth, “Panos Panay is leaving Microsoft for Amazon.”

2023-09-28