It was a big week for Microsoft, with the unveiling of the company’s latest Windows and AI features and new Surface devices at a special event in New York City.
This was preceded, by only a few days, by the surprise resignation of Panos Panay, the chief product officer in charge of the company’s Windows and Devices division. Shortly after that announcement, Bloomberg News reported that Panay was set to join Amazon as the new leader of its Devices & Services division, a surprise twist that has yet to be confirmed as of publication time.
To help sort it all out, we’re excited to be joined on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast by someone who has covered the company for many years, journalist Mary Jo Foley, editor in chief at DirectionsOnMicrosoft.com.
One of the big stories on her radar: Microsoft 365 Copilot, the all-in-one business AI toolset that’s now set for release on Nov. 1, a little over a month from now.
Is that too early? Yes, Mary Jo says, theorizing that Microsoft is hustling the service to general availability in part to keep up with Google, which this week released new integrations between its Bard chatbot and the search giant’s apps and services.
For Microsoft business customers, one key question is whether the extra $30/user per month will be worth it, on top of the cost of their existing licensing plans.
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