Amazon's Bold Move: Former Microsoft Surface Design Chief Joins Forces with Panos Panay

Microsoft’s former head of design for Windows and devices, Ralf Groene, has started a new role at Amazon this week. He was responsible for the design of Microsoft’s Surface tablet and worked closely with Panos Panay, the former Windows and Surface chief, on a line of Surface devices over the past decade. The pair are now reunited at Amazon, focusing on devices and services.

Groene left Microsoft in April 2024, shortly after Panay's transition to Amazon. He will lead the design for Amazon’s devices and services business. Groene's departure from Microsoft followed the appointment of Pavan Davuluri as the new Windows and Surface chief.

Groene, alongside Panay, played a pivotal role in developing the Surface line of products. The original Surface tablet originated from Groene’s sketchbook, featuring doodles about kickstands that evolved into 3D-printed prototypes. This led to the launch of the Surface RT tablet in 2012, significantly influencing hybrid laptop designs over the past decade.

Amazon's recruitment of Groene comes just months after Xbox cofounder J Allard joined Panay’s devices and services team to explore “new ideas.” Additionally, former Windows Cloud executive Aidan Marcuss also joined Amazon, taking charge of the Fire TV, ads, and AppStore teams.