Apple Rehires Newton Developer Michael Tchao

[MacRumors]

The New York Times reports that Apple has rehired Michael Tchao, one of the developers of the Newton, Apple's personal digital assistant platform that launched in 1993. Tchao, who returned to Apple today after a 15-year absence, serves as vice president of product marketing and reports directly to senior vice president Phil Schiller.

It is not clear what his new duties at Apple will entail; Apple would not comment further on the matter, and Mr. Tchao did not immediately respond to a phone message. But identifying a market for the much-rumored Apple tablet could certainly be among them. Mr. Tchao gets the credit (or perhaps the blame) for convincing John Sculley, Apple's former chief executive, to integrate the company's handwriting-recognition technology into a consumer device.

Tchao worked at Apple from 1986 until 1994, holding three different positions during that time and eventually advancing to Group Manager for Product Planning and Strategy in the company's Personal Interactive Electronics division. He then spent several years in consulting and product development before taking the position of General Manager of the Nike Techlab in 2002, where he has overseen the development of a number of Nike+iPod products and technologies.

Article Link: Apple Rehires Newton Developer Michael Tchao

 

[macus3r]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wED9xyAmItE

Michael Tchao, y'all

 

[ob81]

Hopefully he has nothing to do with the tablet. That would mean that it hasn't been started on yet. That would also mean that all of the rumors thus far are ********.

 

[saving107]

Hopefully he has nothing to do with the tablet. That would mean that it hasn't been started on yet. That would also mean that all of the rumors thus far are ********.

he got rehired as Vice President for Product Marketing, which means that Apple could be done with the Tablet and now needs to find a way to Market the device to US.

 

[Alfuh]

he got rehired as Vice President for Product Marketing, which means that Apple could be done with the Tablet and now needs to find a way to Market the device to US.

This is what I'm hoping for and what seems to make the most sense. Maybe they are getting close enough to completion to develop a way to bring this device to the public and convince enough of us we need it ...

 

[ob81]

he got rehired as Vice President for Product Marketing, which means that Apple could be done with the Tablet and now needs to find a way to Market the device to US.

True. I wouldn't bet that Apple is having a problem with marketing a device though. This could be a corporate move, making sure someone familiar with the sector is around during decision making time.

 

[twoodcc]

well after watching some videos of him talking about nike+, he seems like a good guy. i hope he brings the same enthusiasm to apple and works on the tablet

 

[HiVolt]

A bit OT, but why are the positions always a "Vice President" of this or that...

Is there a President of Product Marketing? Why is Phil Schiller the Senior VP, when its obvious he's the head honcho of the department?

 

[jmcguckin]

I've said it before- I don't need a tablet, but if anyone could convince me otherwise, it'd be Apple... worst case scenario, I'm not convinced that I need one and still end up with a nice piece of Apple eye-candy to eventually toy around with.

 

[joueboy]

About Time!

It's about time to take back and recognize this person. I don't know anything about him but hey we all know Newton. I would say the iPhone was inspired by Newton for Apple to comeback and make a new portable device. Who's next Woz coming back on Apple with a new project?

 

[irmongoose]

As far as I know, Product Marketing at Apple consists of coming up with actual ideas for new products, and is not really a marketing position as the name might suggest. Which, in turn, makes this hire particularly interesting.



irmongoose

 

[Stately]

well after watching some videos of him talking about nike+, he seems like a good guy. i hope he brings the same enthusiasm to apple and works on the tablet

I second that or. . . third that, well maybe like. . 10th that judging by all the positivity here lol. I love it.

 

[sockdoggy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wED9xyAmItE

Michael Tchao, y'all

Seems too young to have created the Newton!

 

[dwhittington]

This is exciting, to say the least. He seems to have a great understanding of tech+marketing.

 

[aaronsullivan]

It's kinda corny but I like seeing some of the old people coming back. Sorta sweet.

 

[Doctor Q]

Maybe Mr. Tchao will autograph my eMate.

 

[Woz Beard]

Who's next? Woz coming back on Apple with a new project?

The new iSegway is out in 2010.

 

[11800506]

A bit OT, but why are the positions always a "Vice President" of this or that...

Is there a President of Product Marketing? Why is Phil Schiller the Senior VP, when its obvious he's the head honcho of the department?

That's always bothered me.

 

[dicklacara]

*

Oh Yeah!

*

 

[Mister Snitch]

"Apple Rehires Newton Developer"

Gee, there's a four-word sentence I never thought I'd see. Kinda hope he WAS hired to, you know, work out some of the finishing details. I miss my Newton. I'd buy a Newton-like tablet in a second.

 

[valanchan]

A bit OT, but why are the positions always a "Vice President" of this or that...

Is there a President of Product Marketing? Why is Phil Schiller the Senior VP, when its obvious he's the head honcho of the department?

Yeh, my thoughts are that Steve Jobs or the CEO is the president. More realistic since everyone in a company generally answers to the CEO.

I hope Michael Tchao is back to help build the social aspects of Apple and not just a product. Develop the community as a new platform so it spans the iPhone OS and Mac OS.

 

[appleguy123]

Gee, there's a four-word sentence I never thought I'd see. Kinda hope he WAS hired to, you know, work out some of the finishing details. I miss my Newton. I'd buy a Newton-like tablet in a second.

yeah, you and 10 other people.

 

[Thex1138]

Newtons Ashes Rise

Pieces of the puzzle dropping in to place for the Tablet to rise from the Newton ashes... You know... the pieces that Amilio brought down out of Mount Apple and smashed if you believe in that sort of thing...

 

[hazmatzak]

A bit OT, but why are the positions always a "Vice President" of this or that...

Is there a President of Product Marketing? Why is Phil Schiller the Senior VP, when its obvious he's the head honcho of the department?

Unless the company is structured with separate autonomous divisions, "there can be only one" President. The top executives under the President are all Vice Presidents, although they can be further sorted with descriptors like Associate VP, Senior VP and Executive VP. These VPs are often in charge of something.

In effect, you're missing a comma. Phil Schiller is "Senior VP, of Worldwide Product Marketing", much like someone can be "Duke, of Edinburgh". There is no one higher than Duke "in charge" of Edinburgh; there is no King of Edinburgh. So there is no comma in actual usage.

 

[Antares]

I would LOVE a new Newton!

Please. Please. Please!