<p><em>By Dina Bass and Matt Day</em></p><p>Amazon.com Inc. is hiring Microsoft Corp.’s product chief to run the division responsible for Alexa and the Echo smart speakers, according to people familiar with the situation. </p><p>Panos Panay, who led Microsoft’s Windows team and was central to the company’s hardware push with its Surface computers, said he was leaving Microsoft earlier Monday. </p>.Amazon plans higher pay for contracted delivery partners.<p>Dave Limp, the longtime Amazon hardware chief, said last month that he would retire from the company before the end of the year. </p><p>Amazon is holding its annual new devices event on Wednesday at its growing campus in Arlington, Virginia. </p>.<p>The unit, which also makes Fire-branded television streaming sticks, tablets and the Kindle e-reader, was hit by layoffs last year as the company adjusted to slower growth and wound down some projects. </p><p>Amazon didn’t respond to a request for comment. Microsoft declined to comment. </p>
<p><em>By Dina Bass and Matt Day</em></p><p>Amazon.com Inc. is hiring Microsoft Corp.’s product chief to run the division responsible for Alexa and the Echo smart speakers, according to people familiar with the situation. </p><p>Panos Panay, who led Microsoft’s Windows team and was central to the company’s hardware push with its Surface computers, said he was leaving Microsoft earlier Monday. </p>.Amazon plans higher pay for contracted delivery partners.<p>Dave Limp, the longtime Amazon hardware chief, said last month that he would retire from the company before the end of the year. </p><p>Amazon is holding its annual new devices event on Wednesday at its growing campus in Arlington, Virginia. </p>.<p>The unit, which also makes Fire-branded television streaming sticks, tablets and the Kindle e-reader, was hit by layoffs last year as the company adjusted to slower growth and wound down some projects. </p><p>Amazon didn’t respond to a request for comment. Microsoft declined to comment. </p>