What it’s good to know
- Microsoft EVP and CPO of Windows & Devices, Panos Panay, is leaving the corporate after 20 years.
- The information was introduced through an inside memo despatched to staff this morning.
- Panay’s position will probably be cut up between Yusef Mehdi and Mikhail Parakhin.
- The memo additionally particulars Microsoft’s concentrate on Windows and gadgets going into 2024 and past.
- UPDATE Sept. 19, 2023: Panay will reportedly be a part of Amazon following his departure from Microsoft.
UPDATE Sept. 18, 2023 at 1:50 PM ET: Bloomberg studies that Panay is headed to Amazon “to run the division answerable for Alexa and the Echo good audio system.” The transfer follows as Dave Limp, Amazon’s {hardware} chief, is retiring on the finish of 2023.
Microsoft has additionally confirmed with Windows Central that Panay won’t be at this week’s Surface occasion.
Panos Panay, a 20-year veteran at Microsoft who was most just lately accountable for Windows consumer and Surface, will probably be leaving the corporate. Rajesh Jha, Microsoft’s EVP of Experiences & Devices, introduced the information in an inside e mail this morning:
“After almost 20 years on the firm, Panos Panay has determined to depart Microsoft. Panos has had an unbelievable impression on our merchandise and tradition in addition to the broader gadgets ecosystem. Under Panos’ management, the staff created the long-lasting Surface model with cherished merchandise. More just lately, because the chief of Windows, the staff has introduced wonderful providers and experiences to lots of of thousands and thousands with Windows 11 on revolutionary gadgets together with these from our OEM companions. He will probably be missed, and I’m personally very grateful for his many contributions over time. Please be a part of me in wishing him nicely.
Moving ahead, we’ll double down on our technique. These adjustments will probably be efficient instantly with Panos’ assist in the transition.
Build silicon, methods and gadgets that span Windows, consumer and cloud for an AI world. This staff will probably be led by Pavan Davuluri, who will report on to me. Brett Ostrum, Nino Storniolo, Linda Averett, Ken Pan, Ralf Groene, Aidan Marcuss, Carlos Picoto, Stevie Bathiche, Robin Seiler, Ruben Caballero and Anuj Gosalia will transfer to report back to Pavan with their groups intact. Windows planning and launch administration will proceed to be on this staff. Our dedication to Surface and MR stays unchanged.
Build experiences that mix internet, providers and Windows for an AI world. To this finish, Shilpa Ranganathan, Jeff Johnson and Ali Akgun will instantly report back to Mikhail Parakhin and kind a brand new Windows and Web Experiences Team, shifting with their groups intact.
Yusuf Mehdi will tackle the accountability of main the Windows and Surface companies with our OEM and Retail companions. In addition, Charles Simonyi, Terri Chudzik and Erin Kolb will be a part of the E+D administration groups and Ralf Groene and Mike Davidson will work collectively on the perfect alignment on design groups. We will arrange time for an AMA within the coming days to reply questions. Let’s proceed to remain targeted on executing on our present plans. Thank you for all that you just do, and the impression that you’ve got for our prospects and companions. “
The information will probably shock many, as Panay has been extremely obsessed with his work on Surface and, most just lately, Windows. Panay took cost of the Windows consumer expertise in 2020, and was the rationale behind the corporate’s renewed curiosity within the Windows OS, which resulted in Windows 11 transport in 2021.
In a tweet, Panay mentioned the next:
“After 19 unbelievable years at Microsoft, I’ve determined to show the web page and write the following chapter. I’m eternally grateful for my time at Microsoft and the wonderful folks I had the respect to make merchandise with.”
The inside memo additionally particulars Microsoft’s key focus areas for Windows and {hardware} going into 2024:
- Build silicon, methods and gadgets that span Windows, consumer and cloud for an AI world
- Build experiences that mix internet, providers and Windows for an AI world.
The memo makes point out of a brand new Windows and Web Experiences org, which my sources say is engaged on a secret new model of Windows that can function a real cloud and web-first OS designed to compete with Chrome OS, seemingly led by Mikhail Parakhin. I’ll have extra to share on this mission at a later date.
For now, Jha says Microsoft’s dedication to Surface stays unchanged, which means we must always proceed to see new Surface merchandise from the corporate for the foreseeable future. Microsoft plans to launch the Surface Laptop Studio 2, Surface Go 4, and Surface Laptop Go 4 this week at a particular occasion in New York City.
