Potentially, Apple Might Benefit from Jony Ive's Absence
Jony Ive's departure from Apple in July 2019 sparked quite a stir, and the stories about his final months at the tech giant have been flying around like crazy ever since the news broke. If you believe the latest gossip on the streets, it seems like Ive was more than ready to hang up his design hat and move on.
As Apple stumbles in its pursuit of new products and teeters towards a fresh services-focused future, it's easy to wonder if Ive's departure might just be the kick in the butt the company needed. After all, Apple could use a new superstar to step into the spotlight.
Ive, you see, has achieved star-status in his own right over the years. The 52-year-old Englishman began working at Apple in 1992 and took the reins of the company's design team as Steve Jobs returned to the CEO position in 1997. Ive's tenure at Apple was a rollercoaster of hits, including the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. These products are now inseparable from Ive's legacy, and they even helped get him knighted by Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace in 2012.
But, things started going downhill for Ive around the time of Jobs's death in 2011. Ive was reportedly unhappy with the changes happening in the company, particularly with Tim Cook's ascension to the CEO position. Cook, who was known for his prowess in perfecting Apple's supply chain, had rarely paid close attention to product design, and it was said to have bummed Ive out more than a bit.
Ive's absence from the office started becoming more routine, thanks to a role shift that made two other executives his direct reports and a schedule that had him commuting twice a week till 2017. Ive also spent more time in the UK, where his father was facing health issues. The design team reportedly started to falter during Ive's absence, with six members leaving the company over the past three years.
It's an interesting turn of events, but some people argue that this new era might just be what Apple needs to shake things up. Ive's apathy seems to have reared its head after the problematic launch of the Apple Watch, which was a point of contention between Ive and company leadership. Ive wanted it to be a high-priced fashion device, while the company's executives saw it as an iPhone extension. The result was a $350 device that didn't sell well, and a gold version that went unsold altogether.
Ive's reported activity during his final months at Apple reads like a scene from a bad soap opera. He reportedly skipped meetings, left the country for extended periods, and even held a 50th birthday party in the UK with U2 as the entertainment. Ive apparently even showed up three hours late to an iPhone X design meeting, leaving Tim Cook flustered and frustrated. All this contributed to rumors of Ive's growing disconnect with the company and its products.
It might be time for Apple to find a new design visionary—someone who can deliver hits that require fundamental technological innovation, not just Ive's design genius. Perhaps this might be the break Apple needs to reinvigorate its design team and produce products that capture the imagination of technology enthusiasts once again.
But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Ive's departure has given him the opportunity to explore new creative ventures outside of Apple. He's started his own design firm, LoveFrom, with designer Marc Newson. Ive will still be working with Apple on certain projects, like the rumored AR headset, thanks to a multi-million dollar annual contract. It's a new chapter for Ive, and we'll have to wait and see what the future holds for both him and his former employer.
Ive's departure from Apple opened up opportunities for technological innovation, as some argue that Apple needs a designer who can deliver products requiring fundamental tech advances, not just design brilliance. The company's design team struggled during Ive's absence, with six key members leaving in the past three years.
Despite his controversial final months at Apple, Ive has continued his creative journey outside the tech giant. He founded his own design firm, LoveFrom, in collaboration with designer Marc Newson, and will still be working on select projects with Apple, such as the rumored AR headset, through a multi-million dollar annual contract.
As Apple grapples with its tech future, there's a growing sentiment that Ive's departure might have been beneficial for the company. The rocky launch of the Apple Watch, which was a source of contention between Ive and company leadership, is often cited as an example where a fresh perspective could have led to better results.
The departure of Jony Ive marked a significant shift in Apple's tech landscape. As a tech giant known for its innovative products, Apple now stands at a crossroads, seeking a new design visionary to steer its future towards creating new hits that captivate technology enthusiasts once again.
