According to The New York Times, Apple and Jony Ive have broken up for good this time. Ive left the tech giant in 2019 after more than two decades and founded his own company, LoveFrom, with Apple as its first and most important client. In the weeks leading up to the renewal of their contract, both parties reportedly agreed not to extend it and to cease working together for the first time since the 1990s.
Ive collaborated closely with Steve Jobs and is credited with designing the translucent, candy-colored plastic cases of older Mac computers. In addition, he contributed to the design of the iPod, its white earbuds, the iPhone, the iPad, and the Apple Watch. According to reports, Ive even contributed ideas to Apple’s forthcoming mixed reality headset. In 2015, he was appointed Apple’s first Chief Design Officer, although his responsibilities shifted over time. After Ive left Apple, it was reported that he felt “disenchanted” by Tim Cook’s lack of interest in design and the CEO’s decision to focus on software and service sales. Cook referred to these reports as “absurd.”
The Times reported that Apple’s multi-year contract with LoveFrom was worth $100 million and forbade the company from undertaking any project that the tech giant deemed to be in competition with its products. Ive reportedly desired the freedom to accept new clients without prior approval from Apple. In the meantime, the company’s executives reportedly questioned the amount Apple was paying him and grew frustrated that employees were leaving to join his design firm.
When Ive left Apple and LoveFrom signed a contract with the company, Cook stated that he was “looking forward to working with Jony for many years to come.” Whether or not this indicates that they may work together again remains to be seen. Unless, of course, one or both parties take a page from Taylor Swift’s book and swear they will never, ever get back together.
