Panos Panay Reportedly Quit Microsoft Due to Budget Cuts

[T0@st]

Panos Panay did not present at Microsoft's recent Windows event in New York City—his departure from the titanic technology corporation was announced on September 18; so only three days before an official unveiling of new Surface products. Panay and his (now former) executive colleagues painted a positive picture regarding the move onto pastures new. News reports emerged about an alleged high level hiring by Amazon, with Panay overseeing Alexa and Echo divisions—replacing Dave Limp, SVP of Amazon Devices & Services. A Business Insider report suggests that Microsoft's former chief product officer was unhappy about budget cuts affecting his Surface division—certain insiders were not surprised when Panay announced his retirement from the big M.

The transfer to Amazon was in the works for a while, according to cited inside sources—Microsoft reportedly implemented a round of major budget cuts and product cancellations that did not sit well with Panay. The Surface department experienced "significant" downscaling, and plans for next-generation Surface Headphones were jettisoned. Business Insider proposed that funds had been reassigned to more important internal ventures—mainly artificial intelligence. Many folks were looking forward to Panay taking the stage in NYC earlier this week, but Brett Ostrum (Corporate Vice President of Surface Devices) ultimately acted as his replacement—with a showcasing of the company's latest portable Windows devices. Attendees were somewhat surprised to see Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella turn up as well—it is possible that he was added to the roster for "some extra firepower."




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[Naito]

The cuts to the Surface division seems like another classic move by Microsoft. Always too eager to pull the pin too quickly on any product that experiences a little bit of downturn in the market. It seems they have trouble following their own vision, so why should us consumers trust them with our hard-earned money?

If what is shared in this article is indeed what took place, I share Panos' frustration...

 

[human_error]

Interesting someone annoyed at cuts to a division would move to Amazon, where 10k+ were cut from the devices org over the last year, and is in a hiring freeze with medium/high attrition. Not a great place to be joining right now..

 

[bonehead123]

Interesting someone annoyed at cuts to a division would move to Amazon, where 10k+ were cut from the devices org over the last year, and is in a hiring freeze with medium/high attrition. Not a great place to be joining right now..

Yea, but the largest majority of those cuts/freezes only applied to the "little people" at the bottom or middle of the food chain, and not at the exec level, as usual

 

[Tomorrow]

The cuts to the Surface division seems like another classic move by Microsoft. Always too eager to pull the pin too quickly on any product that experiences a little bit of downturn in the market. It seems they have trouble following their own vision, so why should us consumers trust them with our hard-earned money?

If what is shared in this article is indeed what took place, I share Panos' frustration...

Microsoft has a vision?

Based on the aimless stumbling they have been doing i highly doubt that.