Jony Ive Left Apple Because of CEO Tim Cook’s Lack of Interest in Product Design, Report Says

To many, Jony Ive’s departure from Apple last week felt very sudden. But a narrative is forming to suggest that he’s been slowly drifting apart from the company for several years as the iPhone maker’s priorities shifted from product design to operations. Here are some of the highlights from The Wall Street Journal [paywalled] piece: Ive was “dispirited” by Tim Cook who “showed little interest in the product development process,” according to sources speaking to the WSJ. Ive grew increasingly frustrated as Apple’s board was populated by directors with backgrounds unrelated to the company’s core business. Ive disagreed with “some Apple leaders” on how to position the Apple Watch. Ive pushed for the Apple Watch to be sold as a fashion accessory, not as an extension of the iPhone. The product that went on sale was a compromise. Apple only sold a quarter of what the company forecasted in the first year, according to the WSJ, with “thousands” of the $17,000 gold Apple Watch Edition left unsold. Further reading: ‘Apple is Not in Trouble Because Jony Ive is Leaving, It Is in Trouble Because He’s Not Being Replaced’.