What Comes After the Smartphone? Amazon's Panay Weighs In

For nearly two decades, the smartphone has anchored the tech industry's hardware and software ambitions. But with artificial intelligence folding into everyday platforms and operating systems, the industry is grappling with an open question: what comes next? Amazon's SVP of Devices and Services, Panos Panay, will offer his take on that question at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where he's set to share insights on the evolution of hardware.

Panay's career has been defined by reinventing hardware categories under pressure, from his long tenure at Microsoft to his current role at Amazon, where he's leading the company's AI-infused device strategy. His appearance at Disrupt, scheduled for October 13-15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, is expected to draw attention from founders and investors betting on the next platform shift.

From Surface to Alexa

Panay spent more than 19 years at Microsoft, rising to EVP and chief product officer. During that time, he oversaw the development of a wide range of Surface devices, from the original Surface Laptop from 2017 to the foldable Duo. He also supervised the creation of Windows 11, a blend of software and hardware that is becoming increasingly central in the AI era.

His departure from Microsoft was quickly followed by the announcement that he was joining Amazon, taking over from longtime consumer devices leader David Limp. At Amazon, Panay has been building around the generative AI revamp of Alexa, including the rollout of Alexa+ across several tiers of access in the U.S. earlier this year.

A New Hardware Era

The smartphone's dominance has been challenged by the rise of AI, which is shifting from standalone apps to being woven into the fabric of our devices and operating systems. This evolution is prompting questions about what the next generation of hardware will look like, and Panay is positioned at the center of that development.

At Disrupt, Panay is expected to dig deeper into what's coming next for Amazon and Alexa+. The potential shift from a phone-centric daily routine to an assistant, a pair of glasses, or other emerging form factors represents a major opportunity for startups and established players alike.

Why Disrupt Matters

Disrupt has long been a venue where incumbents share where they're placing their bets and what impacts and opportunities startups need to know about. More than 10,000 founders, investors, and startup community members are expected to gather in San Francisco for the event.

Panay's session is part of a lineup that includes many other speakers, with additional details to be announced as the event approaches. For those planning to attend, organizers are encouraging early ticket purchases before pricing tiers increase.

The Stakes for the Industry

The transition away from the smartphone, if it comes, will have profound implications for developers, hardware manufacturers, and consumers. Amazon's focus on AI-driven assistants like Alexa+ suggests a future where interaction with technology is more conversational and ubiquitous, rather than screen-bound.

Panay's track record at Microsoft, where he helped shape the Surface line and Windows 11, gives him credibility in navigating hardware-software integration. His insights at Disrupt could offer a roadmap for the industry as it navigates this uncertain transition.