Apple’s iPhone Design Chief Leaves to Collaborate with Jony Ive

Apple's iPhone and Watch design chief is departing the company to collaborate with Jony Ive, the visionary behind some of Apple’s most iconic product designs until 2019. Tang Tan, who has been with Apple for a decade, is set to join LoveFrom, the design firm established by Ive following his exit from the tech giant four years ago, as reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Tan will oversee hardware engineering for a new project initiated by Ive and Sam Altman, the AI pioneer who co-founded and currently leads OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT.

In September, the venture between Ive and Altman gained attention when discussions emerged about creating a product referred to as “the iPhone of artificial intelligence.” While no formal announcement has been made about this ambitious project, Tan's move to LoveFrom signals that development is proceeding and gaining momentum.

Gurman notes that Tan is expected to “shape the look and capabilities of new products,” although the initial offerings—reportedly targeted for home use—remain in the early stages of development. The current priority is assembling a team to generate concepts. Tan’s departure highlights the continued reshaping of the design team that Ive originally built at Apple, with over a dozen team members leaving since Ive's departure and only about six remaining. Reports indicate that more than 20 Apple employees have transitioned to Ive’s LoveFrom.

As the team gathers and with Ive joining efforts with Altman, 2024 is anticipated to be a pivotal year for the endeavor, potentially revealing significant updates or even its first product. With competitors already showcasing AI-driven devices, Ive and his team will likely aim to make their mark soon. Regarding Tan's position at Apple, it appears that instead of appointing a successor, his responsibilities will be redistributed among the current staff.