Amazon has tapped former Microsoft executive, Panos Panay to lead its Devices & Services (D&S) business. Panay, who was previously EVP and chief product officer at Microsoft, leading the Windows + Devices division, will begin his new role at Amazon at the end of October.
Panay is a well-known figure in the tech industry, known for his impassioned Surface presentations and his deep experience in both hardware and integrated services. In a blog post announcing the news, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wrote: “As a strong product builder and inventor who has deep experience in both hardware and integrated services, Panay will be a great addition to our D&S organization moving forward.”
Amazon’s D&S division is responsible for developing and selling Amazon’s hardware products, such as the Echo, Alexa, and Fire tablets. The division is also responsible for developing and maintaining Amazon’s software services, such as Prime Video and Amazon Music.
Panay’s appointment comes at a time when Amazon’s D&S division is undergoing significant change. Earlier this year, Amazon’s hardware chief Dave Limp confirmed he would be stepping down by the end of the year to take over as CEO of aerospace outfit Blue Origin. Limp had overseen the development and rollout of numerous products, including Echo and Alexa, as well as the company’s line of Fire tablets.
The sources for this piece include an article in TechCrunch.