Like every great sports team in history, Apple has its share of names that aren't simply HOF-worthy, but cemented in history. I think it's time we recognize the true Gretzky/Jordan/Pele of these past 8-10 years.
Think of the top names at Apple over the last decade, and for each one ask "what would Apple be like w/o them?" Apple wouldn't be as calm and consistent without Cook. It wouldn't be a design leader without Ivey, and it would have better cloud software and Siri without Cue. Without Sroudji and his team, Apple would in one word be: behind.
Every aspect of Apple's incredible run should be attributed, first and foremost, to successful miniaturization of extremely efficient, raw processing power. Done on the grandest scale and tuned perfectly to each specific task. The A series enabled iPhones to run faster than consumer laptops for a good 8 years now. Airpods were slim, light and artfully shaped. iPads literally created a new category of computing without any real competition. All possible only with in-house built silicon. With the M1s, the next chapter where Apple takes mobile, and eventually desktop computing by storm, is upon us. Sroudji's silicon is the common theme in each giant leap that Apple took, and it would be likely behind without him. This silicon team is literally outcompeting Intel, AMD and NVidia in areas where it wants to compete.
I hope that we'll one day get a Walter Isaacson-style look into the highly secretive process, the team dynamics behind chip design, how they collaborated with fabs (also can't be overlooked), and how it was all held together for so long.
Think of the top names at Apple over the last decade, and for each one ask "what would Apple be like w/o them?" Apple wouldn't be as calm and consistent without Cook. It wouldn't be a design leader without Ivey, and it would have better cloud software and Siri without Cue. Without Sroudji and his team, Apple would in one word be: behind.
Every aspect of Apple's incredible run should be attributed, first and foremost, to successful miniaturization of extremely efficient, raw processing power. Done on the grandest scale and tuned perfectly to each specific task. The A series enabled iPhones to run faster than consumer laptops for a good 8 years now. Airpods were slim, light and artfully shaped. iPads literally created a new category of computing without any real competition. All possible only with in-house built silicon. With the M1s, the next chapter where Apple takes mobile, and eventually desktop computing by storm, is upon us. Sroudji's silicon is the common theme in each giant leap that Apple took, and it would be likely behind without him. This silicon team is literally outcompeting Intel, AMD and NVidia in areas where it wants to compete.
I hope that we'll one day get a Walter Isaacson-style look into the highly secretive process, the team dynamics behind chip design, how they collaborated with fabs (also can't be overlooked), and how it was all held together for so long.
