AllYouCanTech

A Revamp in Design May Prove Advantageous for Apple

# The Future of Apple’s Design Division: A New Era Under Stephen Lemay

With Alan Dye’s exit to join Meta, Apple finds itself at a crucial juncture in its design legacy. His successor, Stephen Lemay, is entering a role that not only demands the preservation of Apple’s design legacy but also the reconstruction of a culture that has experienced considerable upheaval in recent times.

## A Bit of Context

Jony Ive’s era at Apple is frequently lauded for its legendary designs, but his influence goes beyond mere product visuals. He nurtured a close-knit design team and a robust culture that flourished under his stewardship. Following his takeover of human interface duties from Scott Forstall, Ive’s team maintained stability, with little turnover, promoting a creative and innovative atmosphere.

However, Ive’s departure in 2019 signaled the onset of a chaotic chapter for Apple’s design division. At first, the transition appeared seamless, with Dye and Evans Hankey leading the charge. Yet, as time passed, the stability began to deteriorate, beginning with Hankey’s exit in 2022. This triggered a major restructure, with design responsibilities being placed directly under the Chief Operating Officer, a shift that many perceived as a weakening of the design team’s power.

The departure of key talents persisted, as designers ventured to rival firms, including OpenAI, indicative of a troubling trend within Apple’s design environment. The once unified team started to splinter, igniting concerns about the future trajectory of Apple’s design philosophy.

## The State of Software Design

While hardware design has encountered significant departures, software design under Dye has largely remained stable, though not without its own hurdles. The absence of prominent designers in recent years has fostered a sense of stagnation in Apple’s software interface design. Critics have highlighted issues such as the debated System Settings overhaul and discrepancies across platforms as indicators of a decline in design quality.

Dye’s tenure has been characterized by a rising sense of dissatisfaction among users, many of whom believe the user interface has regressed compared to earlier benchmarks. The recent modifications have not been well-received by the Apple community, sparking a broader dialogue about the company’s design philosophy.

## The Arrival of Stephen Lemay

Stephen Lemay’s designation as the new head of design at Apple signifies a notable transition. Having been part of the company since 1999, Lemay is acquainted with Apple’s design tenets but is faced with the formidable challenge of revitalizing a division that has lost its direction. Anticipations for swift, decisive changes may be overly optimistic, considering the present state of design culture at Apple.

Lemay’s task will be to connect the gap between hardware and software design, encouraging collaboration and innovation within the team. The necessity for a reset is apparent, as Apple wrestles with upholding its reputation for design excellence in a progressively competitive environment.

## Conclusion

As Apple enters this new phase under Stephen Lemay, the emphasis will be on reconstructing a design culture that has become fragmented in recent years. While it may require time to witness substantial changes, Lemay’s guidance could signal a revival of the fundamental values that once characterized Apple’s design philosophy. The industry will be closely observing how this transition unfolds and whether Apple can reclaim its position as a pioneer in design innovation.

Apple Podcasts Chooses ‘The Rest Is History’ as Show of the Year

Apple Podcasts has revealed its 2025 Show of the Year, the UK-originated podcast *The Rest Is History*. This accolade is awarded to a show that embodies excellence and cultural relevance within the podcasting realm.

Presented by historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, *The Rest Is History* has attained significant acclaim by vividly recounting historical narratives, ranging from the ascent and decline of the Roman Empire to the sinking of the Titanic. The hosts merge their knowledge with captivating storytelling and wit, rendering intricate historical subjects approachable for a wide audience.

Co-host Sandbrook credits their achievement to a non-critical perspective on history, highlighting enjoyment and passion for the topic. Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Podcasts, commended the show for its educational merits, humor, and community engagement, underscoring its outstanding contribution to the podcasting field.

Audiences can find *The Rest Is History* on Apple Podcasts or through several podcast services. Furthermore, Apple has assembled collections of books and music associated with the show, accessible on Apple Books and Apple Music Classical.

AirTag Accessory Extends Battery Duration to More Than 5 Years

### TimeCapsule for AirTag Now Offered in More Compact Size

A standout recent release in the accessory market is Elevation Lab’s TimeCapsule for AirTag, which greatly prolongs the battery life of Apple’s AirTag. Initially, the TimeCapsule boasted an impressive battery duration of 10 years, but the company has recently launched a more compact version that provides 5 years of battery life while offering a smaller profile.

#### The Dilemma of AirTag Battery Duration

While Apple’s AirTag is groundbreaking, it does have a limitation: its battery lifespan. With a typical usage period of around a year, managing several AirTags can turn into a hassle, especially when low battery alerts start accumulating. This concern for users fueled the creation of the TimeCapsule accessory, which received positive feedback for its prolonged battery life.

#### Sleek Design with Prolonged Battery Life

The updated TimeCapsule version tackles the size concern of its predecessor. Although the original TimeCapsule was effective, its size made it less ideal for scenarios where space is restricted. The recently introduced 5-year battery case is crafted to be sleeker, with dimensions of 2.6 inches by 1.6 inches by 0.8 inches, in contrast to the 10-year model’s measurements of 4.45 inches by 1.57 inches by 0.75 inches.

This new accessory functions with two AAA batteries, with Elevation Lab suggesting the use of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries for the best results. Users just need to insert their AirTag into the case, add the batteries, and experience extended battery life without frequent changes.

#### Extra Features

The small TimeCapsule case is not only functional but also comes with a waterproof design, ensuring it can endure various environmental conditions. Notably, the case does not reveal that it contains an AirTag, offering a discreet option for tracking belongings.

#### Availability

The new TimeCapsule AirTag 5-year battery case can be purchased in both single and multipack selections, catering to diverse user preferences.

#### Conclusion

The launch of the compact TimeCapsule for AirTag marks a significant improvement in accessory design for Apple’s tracking device. By addressing concerns related to battery life and size, Elevation Lab has offered users a practical solution that boosts the capability of AirTags. Whether a seasoned user of the TimeCapsule or exploring it for the first time, this new model provides an attractive choice for anyone aiming to streamline their tracking experience.