Jony Ive Confronts iPhone's Legacy in Designing His Next Product Sir Jony Ive, the celebrated former Chief Design Officer at Apple and a key architect behind iconic products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, has revealed that his current work is deeply influenced by a desire to address the "unintended consequences" associated with the smartphone revolution he helped ignite. Speaking at a Stripe Sessions 2025 interview, Ive offered a rare glimpse into his post-Apple endeavors and his reflections on the impact of technology. Owning the "Unintended Consequences" Ive, who co-founded the design firm LoveFrom after leaving Apple in 2019, expressed a profound sense of responsibility for the potentially adverse effects of smartphones on users. "There’s not anything that I can be more preoccupied or bothered by," he stated, highlighting the gravity of these concerns in shaping his current projects. He emphasized the importance of accountability, even when intentions are good. "I think even if you’re innocent in your intention, I think if you’re involved in something that has poor consequences, you need to own it,” Ive remarked. “That ownership, personally, has driven a lot of what I’ve been working on that I can’t talk about the moment, but look forward to being able to talk about at some point in the future.” This sentiment underscores a growing awareness within the tech industry about the societal impact of its creations, moving beyond mere functionality to consider broader human well-being. A Warning for the Tech Industry During the wide-ranging conversation with Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison, Ive warned that designers and technologists today must remain vigilant. He argued that positive intentions do not absolve creators from the outcomes of their products, stressing the critical need for accountability. This perspective is particularly poignant coming from someone who played such a pivotal role in designing devices that have fundamentally reshaped how we live, work, and interact. Hints at a New Direction with LoveFrom and OpenAI While details about his next product remain under wraps, Ive confirmed last year that he is collaborating with OpenAI on a new device. His recent comments at the Stripe interview seem to allude to this project, suggesting that it will embody his commitment to addressing the lessons learned from the iPhone era. Ive's design philosophy, honed over more than two decades at Apple, has always been characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of user experience. His first encounter with the original Macintosh, he recalled, was a "transformative moment that revealed the values of its creators." Now, with LoveFrom, he appears poised to imbue his next creation with a new set of values, centered on mitigating the negative side-effects of pervasive technology. As the tech world awaits Ive's next innovation, his reflections offer a compelling narrative about the evolution of a design legend grappling with the legacy of his most influential creation. The focus on "owning" unintended consequences signals a potential shift towards more ethically considerate product development, a theme increasingly relevant in today's digitally saturated world.
