Amazon’s Panos Panay on life after smartphones at Disrupt 2026
▼ Summary
– Amazon SVP Panos Panay will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about the future of hardware as AI integrates into operating systems.
– Panay spent over 19 years at Microsoft, leading Surface device development and Windows 11, blending hardware and software.
– After joining Amazon, he has focused on the generative AI revamp of Alexa, including the rollout of Alexa+ in the U.S.
– At Disrupt, Panay will discuss upcoming Amazon and Alexa+ plans, potentially shifting daily routines away from smartphones.
– The event takes place October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, with discounted tickets available before the next pricing tier.
For the better part of two decades, the smartphone has dictated how we build and consume technology. Yet, as artificial intelligence shifts from isolated apps to the very fabric of our operating systems, the blueprint for the next wave of hardware is being redrawn in real time.
Few people are closer to that drawing board than Panos Panay, Amazon’s SVP of Devices and Services. He is set to take the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at where hardware evolution is heading next.
Disrupt has always served as the arena where industry giants reveal their strategic bets and signal the shifts that startups need to watch. The opportunity to get ahead of the curve arrives October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Before we get into what Panay brings to the table, now is the time to secure today’s pricing, as the next ticket tier is just around the corner and current discounts are winding down.
Why Panay’s perspective matters at Disrupt 2026
Panay has a proven track record of reshaping hardware categories when the pressure is highest. His tenure at Microsoft spanned over 19 years, where he served as EVP and chief product officer. In that role, he steered the creation of the Surface lineup, from the original Surface Laptop in 2017 to the experimental foldable Duo. He also oversaw the launch of Windows 11, a position that placed him at the intersection of software and hardware, a convergence that is now central to the AI era.
When he left Microsoft, the industry barely had time to speculate before Amazon announced his arrival. He stepped into the role vacated by longtime devices chief David Limp. While Amazon had historically focused on blanketing the home with hardware, Panay has pivoted the strategy toward the generative AI overhaul of Alexa. The rollout of Alexa+ across multiple access tiers in the U. S. earlier this year marked the first major move under his leadership.
At Disrupt, Panay will expand on what comes next for Amazon and Alexa+. As we edge toward a reality where your day is no longer anchored to a handheld screen, but rather to an ambient assistant, a pair of smart glasses, or whichever form factor the next big player bets on, the potential applications are vast. That kind of forward-looking insight is exactly what attendees will find at Disrupt.
Come hear Panay alongside a roster of exceptional speakers, and connect with more than 10,000 founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts gathering in San Francisco. Secure your pass today, and as the event draws nearer, explore the full lineup of Disrupt highlights to plan your experience.
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(Source: TechCrunch)
