Paul Meade, the Apple vice president overseeing the Vision Pro headset, is exiting the company to join the hardware division at OpenAI, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This high-profile transition marks a significant shift in leadership for Apple’s wearable technology roadmap.
Strategic Shifts in Apple’s Wearables
Beyond the Vision Pro, Meade spearheaded the development of Apple’s upcoming AI-powered smart glasses, slated for release next year. While the premium Vision Pro failed to gain widespread commercial traction, Apple views these more accessible smart glasses as a critical move to challenge Meta’s dominance in the wearable device market.
Internal Restructuring Under John Ternus
Gurman suggests that Meade’s departure is a direct consequence of the impending transition of John Ternus to the role of Apple CEO. Ternus has reportedly initiated a significant reorganization of the hardware engineering department, a move that left several vice presidents feeling sidelined or effectively demoted within the new corporate structure.
OpenAI’s Growing Hardware Ambitions
This hire signals OpenAI’s intensifying focus on physical products. The company is already collaborating with former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive on an AI-centric device. CEO Sam Altman has previously positioned this project as a “peaceful and calm” alternative to the smartphone experience, despite reports from last fall indicating that the team faced challenges in refining the device’s core features.
TechCrunch has reached out to Apple and OpenAI for comment.
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