Microsoft shuffles around its key Android teams

Earlier this week, Microsoft’s Chief Product Officer (CPO) announced that the company would restructure its key Android teams in an internal memo sent to employees by Panos Panay. These teams include Microsoft’s Surface Duo OS, Swift Key, Phone Link, Microsoft Launcher, and a handful of other Android teams” as reported by Windows Central. The new internal Android organization will be called “Android Microsoft Platform and Experiences” (Or AMPX).

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Windows Central the following statement:

Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis. We recently made an organizational change to accelerate our impact and better serve our customers and partners.

Microsoft reportedly has “big ideas” for Android and Windows over the next few years. The company hopes to integrate Android and Windows more deeply beyond what’s already available from Phone Link (formerly Your Phone). The eventual goal would be to position Android as an extension of Windows as a competitive alternative to the kind of integration that Apple has with iPhone on MacOS.

The reorganization resulted in new roles. Shilpa Ranganthan is now in a lead role for Windows PM org, who is taking over for Linda Averett, leading a new team that oversees privacy, compliance, and security. Ali Akgun will be leading the new AMPX group, formerly CVP of Surface at Microsoft. Finally, it’s reported that no layoff resulted from the reorganization.

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