"Design is how it works" still rings true at Apple, and new CEO John Ternus wants to assure everyone that respect for the user and building products that are beneficial remains "job one."
Ternus has not let his new role interrupt his passion for industrial design. In a previous interview, he emphasized that Apple had been working toward the iPhone Duo for over 15 years. A video version of that conversation with *Time* was shared Tuesday, with further discussion of design's importance at Apple. Ternus said he remains closely involved with industrial design. He joined Apple 25 years ago on the product design team, and his background in mechanical engineering placed him close to the industrial design team.
"I think what's so special about this place is design is at the center of it," Ternus said. "Our designers both on the software side and the hardware side, they really understand the engineering. And the engineers have a deep appreciation for design." He concluded, "It's a really powerful collaboration." The conversation also touched on child safety, Screen Time, and Ternus' love of driving fast cars, all tied to the iPhone Duo and its blend of usefulness and whimsy.
Asked about Apple's future emphasis on design, Ternus said the products will evolve with new technologies, but "the way we work — I don't want that to change." Apple has largely sat out the AI race by not developing its own frontier model, and executives have said the company doesn't need to develop everything or appeal to a "lunatic fringe." "Design has always been at the core of this company," Ternus concluded. "We're going to continue on that."
Apple ships the iPhone Duo to customers who pre-ordered for release on October 23. The device has reportedly seen "extraordinary demand," and new orders won't ship until the end of January 2027.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing