Apple’s former senior vice president of hardware engineering, Dan Riccio, is reportedly planning to retire after more than 25 years at the company, according to Bloomberg. Riccio, who oversaw the development of some of Apple’s most iconic products, such as the iMac, iPhone, iPad, and Macs with Apple silicon, handed over his hardware engineering leadership role to John Ternus in 2021 to focus on a new project. That project turned out to be the Apple Vision Pro, an augmented reality headset that was launched in the U.S. earlier this month.
The Vision Pro is Apple’s first foray into the emerging field of augmented reality, which blends digital elements with the real world. The headset features a sleek design, high-resolution displays, advanced sensors, and spatial audio. It also comes with a wireless controller that allows users to interact with virtual objects and environments. The Vision Pro is compatible with a range of apps and games, from education and productivity to entertainment and social media.
Riccio was instrumental in bringing the Vision Pro to life, as he led a team of engineers and designers who worked on the project for several years. He was also directly involved in the launch of the Vision Pro, which was met with mixed reviews from critics and consumers. Some praised the headset for its innovation and potential, while others criticized it for its high price, limited availability, and lack of compelling content.
With the Vision Pro now released, Riccio is nearing retirement from Apple, sources told Bloomberg. Specific details and timing of his departure are still being finalized. Riccio joined Apple in 1998 and quickly rose through the ranks, leading the product design team and becoming vice president of hardware engineering in 2010. In 2012, he was promoted to senior vice president of hardware engineering, overseeing the development of all of Apple’s major products.
Riccio was responsible for some of the most significant achievements in Apple’s hardware history, such as the introduction of Touch ID, Face ID, and the transition from Intel processors to Apple’s own silicon. He also played a key role in the iPad for many years, as well as the recent releases of the M1 Macs and 5G iPhones. He was one of the company’s longest-tenured executives and one of Steve Jobs’ critical lieutenants for many years.
Riccio’s retirement marks the end of an era at Apple, as he leaves behind a legacy of hardware innovation and excellence. The company will look to build on that legacy as it enters new product categories like augmented reality under fresh engineering leadership. Mark Gurman speculates that Mike Rockwell, who currently runs the Apple Vision Pro team, may start reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook or COO Jeff Williams.