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
posted November 4th 2008 8:34AM
Steve looks chunky...he should loose weight.
@Curnsie
The real reason only employs five people is that they, by law, cannot cram any more smugness and ego into one room. I honestly think Apple is in for a big surprise once this bubble bursts for them, and it is starting. iPod sales will decline, iPhone production being cut, and the utter flop of their new Macbooks and desire to snub the many professionals who have kept them afloat for the urban hipsters and trendsetters who are as fickle as the wind.
I would have been the first to buy a reasonably specced and priced ($899-999) Macbook, I'd buy a mini if it were just updated, and I'd buy an Apple TV over a Tivo anyday if it just had some functionality. But that is the problem.
As much as I agree that there's that smugness factor with Apple, it won't die off so easily. They're a second to MSFT but do have a solid grip of things. As far as ipod sales go, they've "predicted" a slowdown literally from day 1. Won't happen so fast, their headstart is way too significant. There are new teenagers every year, Christmas, Thanksgiving, b'days... don't see ipod sales crumbling to nothingness just yet.
That "Bursting Bubble" has been predicted since the first iPod came out, there is no doubt that the iPod is loosing steam. Even I was worried, but I think Apple has sealed a few more years with the iPhone and touch. Apple has every sign of being on the rise, if you have different statistics, I would love to see them.
Oh noes!!!11111
*slits wrists*
That has to be an awfully old picture, the 1G iPod nano and accessories are littering the table. Either way, I have never seen that picture before, source?
About the comment on the Iphone and Att...its very simple $$$$ those dollars signs plus some commas rule the discussion table apple and att have some lengthy contract you wont see apple endorsed phone on another carrier legally (hence the word legally) until someone else ponies up the type of money Att did. As far as me I like my Apple I Phone even if it is on another carrier...
www.webprise.com "changing the web one website at a time"
I'll be really interested to see how this affects the product line going forward. Honestly though, I think creativity aside, Apple can put the iTouch/iPhone on cruise control for at least the next 2 years with minor tweaks here and there and software updates. If their laptop line is any indication, I almost think they're putting out new products *too* fast. A lot of people are buying and are pissed 4 -6 months later when the newer, better version is released.
IBM has a bad habit of tempering with former employees further employment. This has got to be in part sour grapes on IBM's part for the loss of the sales of PPC chips when APPLE switched to INTEL. How does Mr. Papermaster heading up the iPOD group interfere with IBM's business, it doesn't. IBM doesn't compete in this realm and neither does APPLE compete with IBM in any way. Services - no. PC's and MACs - no, Servers - no, Software - no. IBM likes to flatter itself far too much in the industry, and its paranoia has raised its ugly head in many other former IBMer cases. I suspect that Mr. Papermaster finally got tired of the new IBM philosophy, "Every moment here must be unpleasant." as opposed to the old attitude, "Respect for the individual." IBM's suit is specious, abusive and utter garbage. It should be dismissed.
Australia is now the cheapest place in the world to buy an iPod....
http://snsays.com/1812/cheapest-place-to-buy-ipod/
what I'd like to know is, what are those pretty coloured straps on the desk, some new S&M device for the staff??
Headphones used with MP3 digital music players like the iPod may interfere with heart pacemakers....
http://snsays.com/1867/ipod-may-interfere-with-heart/