“Avadis ‘Avie’ Tevanian, Apple Computer’s Chief Technology Officer, is leaving the firm to ‘pursue other interests,’ the company confirmed Monday. Tevanian, who came to Apple in 1997 from his previous post working for Steve Jobs at NeXT, played a key role in developing Mac OS X, the company’s widely adored operating system,” Alan Saracevic reports for The San Francisco Chronicle.
“Although Apple wouldn’t say what Tevanian’s plans are, Vice President of Worldwide Corporate Communications Katie Cotton wrote in an e-mail that, ‘He plans to take some time off in the interim. He hasn’t left yet, though. His last official day is March 31,'” Saracevic reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: Tevanian was an important figure in the development of the Mach kernel at Carnegie Mellon and later worked for NeXT Computer and then at Apple, both times brought into the firms by Steve Jobs. At Apple, he was the lead in the development of Mac OS X.
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Related article:
Avie Tevanian named Chief Software Technology Officer of Apple – July 08, 2003
I hope this is not a bad sign. His leaving right before the Apple anniversary makes me think he does not like the direction the company is taking on technology and software. Could it have something to do with an announcement coming on April 1st? Please let this be a happy coincidence.
Just so I’m clear…
MSFT can’t deliver an operating system in six years and none of the senior management fsckwits responsible have either jumped or been pushed, despite the fact that the stock price has been stagnant for the best part of five years.
Avie Tevanian’s team delivers 1 major OS platform and five significant revisions, plus God only knows how many patches, and he decides to leave and commune with nature or whatever rather than stick around to earn more stock options which will undoubtedly appreciate because of Apple’s continuing commercial improvement.
If that isn’t an example of the cosmic joke that is the Universe, I’d like to know what is…
Steve gave him the pink slip for all the security problems and delays in getting X out the door. not!! Avies done a great job, not like All-chin over at M$
jon Rubenstein and Avie leaving March 31.
Why else would he have no other plans in the “interim”?? This is exactly the type of announcement you make in the corporate world when a senior exec gets the boot.
BTW, that doesn’t mean he did a bad job with OS X, or anything else for that matter. His skills just might not be the best for what Apple needs the next few years. As Fred noted, expertise with kernel-development and other heavy duty software engineering might not be the focus at Apple for the next 3-4 years.
I bet he got a sweet severance package though…
Jake
Next watch point – Will Leopard be delayed????
Now, FTFF shall we?
Peace and thanks for the memories.
MDN Word of the day “Million” Thanks a million Monsieur Tevanian.
One of the coolest Apple guys I’ve met. I am sure he is going to watch out for Apple out there…
Leopards already done…..in test mode
Thanks for all the work, enjoy your family and a long rest.
From a longtime Mac User
This man, if he chose to, could claim to be the father of OS X. A Geek God of the 1st Order. Developer of the Mach Microkernel, developer of NeXTStep, OpenStep, Mac OS X.
With stock options, this guy should be set for life. In my book he has earned every penny of it. Maybe he wants to lay on a beach and watch the babes go by with a cool one in his hand, maybe something else. With his education, resume and track record, it’s his call.
Anyway, if you are out there looking in:
Thank You from a long time Mac user.
Fired! Fired ! WTF! Are you on crack! These types, at this level, do not get fired!…. unless they screw something up so bad the company is about to collapse. Which is sure not Apple! at least not now! Market share gains, pending/current ownership of billions of living rooms worldwide, more cash than God! I wouldn’t think money could make him stay either. When you have gazillions…. gazillions more, are less important than “your time left”! Maybe he wants to build a rear cool rock garden or whatever! I am sure his underlings are pretty sharp and will carry the flag just fine. Shit! look at what they have done so far! and no end insight.
Millions of us thank you (and everyone at Apple) for your work everyday!
Put your feet up on your desk Avie, and relax!
You earned it!
This can only mean 1 of 3 things:
1. Things will get better.
2. Things will get worse.
3. Things will remain the same.
I certainly hope that for Apple and Tevanian thing #1 will prevail.
Avie, is kewl. I wish him well on his new endeavours.
DAMN!
Avie made the OS X.
We need you come back!
What no one seems to be addressing is who the hell is going to replace Tevanian? Where are Apple going to get some one of his calibre? Is SJ going to replace him at all? I hope SJ knows he needs to be replaced by another Phd ubergeek. Who could Apple get and from where? MIT? Stanford? Surely they would have their pick to parachute in just about anyone?