Paul Meade, Apple’s vice president in charge of the Vision Pro headset, is leaving the company to join OpenAI’s hardware team. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the departure stems from John Ternus’ impending promotion to Apple CEO and the subsequent restructuring of the hardware engineering team, which left some vice presidents feeling demoted. Meade also reportedly spearheaded the development of Apple’s AI-powered smart glasses, scheduled for launch next year.
A key executive departure during Apple’s transition period
The move represents a significant loss for Cupertino. Meade was a central figure in Apple’s mixed reality project. The Vision Pro, priced at a premium, did not achieve mass-market success, but Apple is now betting on more affordable smart glasses to compete with Meta’s wearables. Ternus’ reorganization prompted several vice presidents to seek opportunities elsewhere, with Meade choosing OpenAI.
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OpenAI strengthens its hardware division with an Apple veteran
OpenAI, known for models like GPT-4o, is ramping up its hardware efforts. The company is already collaborating with former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive on an AI device that CEO Sam Altman has touted as more peaceful than an iPhone. Meade’s arrival could accelerate the project, though details remain scarce; reports last fall indicated struggles to finalize the design. Neither Apple nor OpenAI has commented officially.
Implications for the headset and wearable market
Meade’s move underscores the rising competition between tech giants and AI startups in the wearable space. Despite the Vision Pro’s lukewarm reception, Apple is determined to launch cost-effective smart glasses with AI features. Meanwhile, OpenAI aims to create a device that redefines human-computer interaction, leveraging Meade’s expertise. Analysts are watching closely, as success could reshape personal computing. Apple recently announced price hikes of up to 20% for Mac and iPad due to the AI memory crisis, as covered in a related article. Additionally, OpenAI’s restrictions in Europe, detailed in this report, highlight regulatory challenges the AI firm faces.
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For the original report, see TechCrunch’s article (external source: Apple Vision Pro exec is reportedly leaving for OpenAI).
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/27/apple-vision-pro-exec-is-reportedly-leaving-for-openai
