“Jony Ive, along with Steve Jobs, has long been regarded as part of the soul of Apple.,” Jim Lynch writes for CIO. “His contributions in terms of industrial design and software UI have had a gigantic impact on Apple’s products and the company’s bottom line. It’s not hyperbole to say that Apple would not be what it is today without him.”
“But the recent announcement about Ive being promoted to “Chief Design Officer” makes it clear to me that he is beginning to wind down his career at Apple,” Lynch writes. “The announcement strikes me as a well-oiled public relations machine laying the groundwork for Ive to retire altogether from Apple. But these things must be handled very carefully and professionally, and that is exactly what Apple is doing.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Again, as we wrote yesterday, this is how Apple eases the pressure on Jony while addressing one of their most pressing problems since Steve Jobs was CEO: Succession. Jony Ive is the most important person at Apple. The addition of Marc Newson to Apple’s payroll, in whatever capacity, was one answer to the question. This is the next.
Hopefully, Jony is happy with the new arrangement and continues to have a major hand in Apple’s design direction.
Related articles:
Jony Ive is Apple’s next Steve Jobs – May 27, 2015
What Jony Ive’s ‘promotion’ really means – May 26, 2015
Now Jony Ive will have an even bigger influence over Apple’s image – May 26, 2015
Stephen Fry meets Jony Ive, Apple’s newly-promoted chief design officer – May 26, 2015
Jony Ive gives up day-to-day managerial duties to focus on big picture – May 26, 2015
Jony Ive promoted to ‘Chief Design Officer’ – May 25, 2015
Jony Ive is the most powerful person at Apple – December 12, 2014
Jony Ive hasn’t been given too much power at Apple – because he’s always had it – February 5, 2013
Steve Jobs left design chief Jonathan Ive ‘more operational power’ than anyone else at Apple – October 21, 2011