Apple’s Vice President of Product Design for the iPhone and smartwatch, Tang Tan, is set to leave the company in February, creating a shake-up in Apple’s crucial product lines, according to sources. Tan’s departure has raised concerns about the future direction of the company’s design strategy.
As the head of product design, Tan’s responsibilities included overseeing the aesthetic appeal and engineering of Apple’s most important devices. His team had tight control over product features, determining the look and feel of devices such as the iPhone and Apple Watch. Tan’s departure is seen as a significant blow to Apple, as he played a crucial role in shaping the company’s most successful products.
To manage the fallout from Tan’s departure, Richard Dinh, his top lieutenant, is being promoted to report directly to John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. This move aims to ensure continuity in Apple’s design and engineering processes. Additionally, Kate Bergeron, a hardware engineering executive, has been tapped to take over the design of the Apple Watch.
Tan’s work was instrumental in transforming the Apple Watch and AirPods into major growth drivers for the company. His innovative designs and decision-making prowess contributed to the success of these popular products, which have become staples in the tech market.
This news follows the retirement of another senior executive, Steve Hotelling, Vice President of Hardware Technologies, marking the second high-profile departure from Apple in recent times. The simultaneous exits of key executives, along with Tan’s departure, have raised concerns about potential leadership changes within Ternus’ organization.
Apple remained tight-lipped about the developments and did not provide any comments on the issue. Industry experts and customers alike will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how Apple navigates these significant changes in leadership and design strategy.
As Tan bids farewell to Apple in the coming months, the tech giant faces the challenge of maintaining its reputation for cutting-edge design and innovation. The departure of such a seasoned executive casts a shadow over the future direction of the company’s product lines. Only time will tell how Apple manages to fill the void left by Tang Tan and steer its design strategy towards continued success.
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