Apple's iPhone Design Veteran Tang Tan Joins Jony Ive and Sam Altman in Revolutionary AI Hardware Venture

Tang Tan, who has played a significant role in iPhone design at Apple Inc., is reportedly poised to embark on an exciting collaboration with Jony Ive, LoveFrom's co-founder and former Apple design maestro, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, focusing on an innovative AI hardware initiative.

A New Chapter for Tang Tan

As per sources mentioned in a Bloomberg report, after Tan's departure from Apple in February, he is set to team up with Ive's LoveFrom. The design studio is in the nascent stages of developing AI-enabled devices designed for domestic use, with Altman poised to contribute the requisite software for these cutting-edge gadgets.

Moving from Apple to LoveFrom

LoveFrom has been instrumental in luring over 20 former Apple talents, suggesting a continuing exodus of design expertise from the Cupertino-based tech titan to Ive's firm. Among these talents, Tan is anticipated to steer hardware engineering efforts for the AI venture within LoveFrom.

The Backing of Big Players

The project has not been without its share of high-profile corporate drama. Altman, who has experienced his own turmoil including a dismissal and subsequent reinstatement, had once reached out to SoftBank Group Corp.'s Chairman, Masayoshi Son, for a multibillion-dollar investment to jumpstart this ambitious venture.

The Legacy of Jony Ive

Ive, revered for his crucial contributions to iconic Apple products like the original iPhone in 2007, parted ways with Apple in 2019. He then proceeded to form LoveFrom, together with fellow designer Marc Newson. This move further paved the way for the reputed partnership with Altman, fueling speculation about the development of the 'iPhone of AI'.

Altman's Vision

Altman himself has been rather cryptic about the project's ultimate objective, suggesting that while something groundbreaking is feasible, it’s still unclear what shape it will eventually take.

Apple, AI, Design