WSJ: Apple's iPod boss stepping down, replacement stuck in legal limbo (Update: now official)
He might not be a household name, but Tony Fadell is the chief of Apple's iPod division (and credited with bringing the iPod idea to Apple) and part of the executive team responsible for the iPhone's development. At least he was. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources "familiar with the matter," reports that Fadell is jumping off the Infinite Loop for personal reasons but will remain at Apple's disposal in a consulting role. Here's the kicker: Mark Papermaster appears to be the named successor assuming IBM's lawyers don't put a stop to Apple's plans. None of this matters of course since it's common knowledge amongst investors that Steve Jobs does everything from inventing the iPhone to replacing printer cartridges around the Apple campus — his staff is just there for tax purposes.
Update: It's official. Papermaster is in as senior VP of Devices Hardware Engineering reporting to Jobs — Fadell is out. That means he'll lead the iPod and iPhone hardware engineering teams. IBM be damned.
Read — WSJ rumor
Read — Tony Fadell Bio
