The New York Times has published a new report that largely reaffirms what countless observers have said before. In comparison to Jobs, Cook is less connected to the “minutiae” of product development, instead preferring to delegate to his other executives to lead design. This does not mean Cook is not involved at all. Interestingly, the profile says Cook himself pushed the iPad mini project to release.
Although Cook declined comment in the report, Jony Ive was interviewed. Apple’s SVP of Design insisted that Apple is much the same as before, reiterating statements he has made before.
Whether because it is the truth or the company PR line, Ive’s stance mirrors Cue’s, who recently said ‘there was never a reset’ when Jobs died.
Jonathan Ive, the head of design at Apple and a name nearly as adored by its followers as Steve Jobs, says Mr. Cook has not neglected the company’s central mission: innovation. “Honestly, I don’t think anything’s changed,” he said. And that includes the clamor for some exciting new thing. “People felt exactly the same way when we were working on the iPhone,” Mr. Ive added.
Unsurprisingly, the profile also touches on the state of the iWatch. Light on details, the report says the watch is expected to launch in the fourth quarter. Cook is said to be particularly interested in the health and fitness aspects of the watch.
If Mr. Jobs was maniacal about design, Mr. Cook projects “quiet consideration,” Mr. Ive said. Mr. Cook digests things carefully, with time, which Mr. Ive said “testifies to the fact he knows it’s important.”
