New 'Windows + Devices' team may be just what Microsoft needs

Microsoft's merger of its Windows and Devices teams seems to make business sense, but should OEMs be worried?

Word broke last week that Microsoft combined its Windows and hardware teams under one umbrella. This new "Windows + Devices" team is led by Panos Panay, who previously led Microsoft's hardware efforts as Chief Product Officer overseeing the standalone Devices group.

News of the teams' merger led many to speculate that Microsoft is ready to bring Surface and Windows development much more in sync. While it's likely we'll see a closer union between hardware and software as a result of this move, it's also worth considering the business implications for Microsoft and its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners.

A natural evolution for Microsoft



Because Microsoft has control of the development of Windows software and Surface hardware, one could reasonably assume the two teams have historically been in lock-step with one another. However, that hasn't always been the ca...