For nearly two decades, the smartphone has defined how people connect, work, and create. Now, as AI becomes embedded across devices and operating systems, the next chapter of personal technology is taking shape.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Amazon Devices and Services SVP Panos Panay will share his perspective on where hardware is heading next. Known for helping shape Microsoft's Surface lineup and Windows 11, Panay brings a rare view of how software and hardware evolve together.
A shift beyond the phone
Panay's career has centered on product design that blends form, function, and intelligence. After more than 19 years at Microsoft, he moved to Amazon, where he has focused on the company's device strategy and the generative AI evolution of Alexa. Earlier this year, Alexa+ expanded across several access tiers in the U.S., signaling a broader move toward more conversational, adaptive assistants.
His upcoming session is expected to explore how everyday computing may move beyond the handset and into new interfaces such as voice-first assistants, wearables, and smart glasses. That direction reflects a wider industry trend: technology is becoming less about a single device and more about an ecosystem that follows the user across moments and environments.
Disrupt 2026 will gather founders, investors, and builders in San Francisco, offering a snapshot of where the next wave of consumer tech may emerge. As AI continues to reshape product design, Panay's outlook may help define how the post-smartphone era takes form. The future of devices may be less visible, more intuitive, and increasingly woven into daily life.
