iPhone Designer Greg Christie Leaves Apple Over 'Falling Out' With Jony Ive?

iPhone Designer Leaves Apple After 'Falling Out'

One of the original designers of the iPhone has left Apple after a reported "falling out" with design chief Jony Ive.

Greg Christie, Apple's VP of 'human interface' will leave the company later this year after more than two decades of service.

Christie was one of the original team who built the iPhone and had a significant role in the look and feel of all of Apple's software, including iOS and OS X.

But after Jony Ive took overall direction of design at Apple last year, including software, it appears that the two may have found it difficult to work together harmoniously. At least that's the contention of of 9to5Mac, who reported the story initially.

Apple, typically, is remaining tight lipped. A spokesman said merely that Christie had "worked closely with Jony for many years" and had been planning to retire.

“Greg has been planning to retire later this year after nearly 20 years at Apple,” said a company spokesman. “He has made vital contributions to Apple products across the board, and built a world-class human interface team which has worked closely with [Jonathan] for many years.”

Whatever the truth, it's another sign that Apple is now a different company in some significant ways (and personnel) than that which unveiled the original iPhone back in 2007.

Meanwhile Apple insider John Gruber said that while Ive and Christie "might not see eye to eye" the departure was not as contentious as reported.

"Interestingly, Christie’s retirement was announced internally a few weeks ago — yet it didn’t leak outside the company until today. Also interesting (and backing up the company line that his departure is not contentious): he’s staying at the company until later this year — and from what I’ve heard, it’s more like “end of the year”. If it’s ugly, why hang around?"

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