Though it’s had its ups and downs, Microsoft’s Surface line of tablets and laptops is mostly considered as an enormous success for the corporate, serving to to form each its personal identification and the premium PC market during the last decade. The man in command of all of it is Panos Panay, an almost 20-year veteran of Microsoft’s government group and an enormous a part of the Surface and Windows groups. Microsoft has introduced that he’s leaving the corporate as of right this moment. His present plans aren’t recognized.

Panay’s final title at Microsoft was “Chief Product Officer,” and he was a relentless presence on the firm’s product bulletins for each in-person and video occasions. Though he’s an efficient model ambassador and hype man, he’s additionally been a necessary member of the corporate’s higher-ups, credited with main the groups that created the Surface model in 2012 and Windows 11. Panay unveiled each merchandise of their public debuts.

In a PR e mail despatched to PCWorld, Microsoft Executive Vice President Rajesh Ja praised Panay’s management and influence on the corporate’s merchandise and tradition. Jha says that Microsoft will “double down on [its] strategy,” so don’t anticipate any big adjustments in instructions for both Windows or Microsoft-branded PC {hardware}.

The timing of Panay’s departure may elevate just a few eyebrows, because it’s just a few days before Microsoft’s yearly fall event, the place we will anticipate to see updates to Surface {hardware}. Typically Panay could be readily available to indicate off the up to date designs and any new merchandise, however that might not be the case this yr.