a16z Podcast a16z Podcast: Inside Apple Software Design
Apr 19, 2019
Ken Kocienda, a veteran Apple software engineer known for his work on Safari and the iPhone's early software, shares fascinating insights from the heart of Apple's design era under Steve Jobs. He discusses the transition from motorcycles to tech wizardry and recalls the tight-knit, secretive culture behind groundbreaking innovations. Hear about the challenges of developing the iPhone, the controversies of not launching copy and paste, and the importance of fusing liberal arts with engineering for meaningful design. Kocienda’s anecdotes reveal the thrill of creativity within a realm notorious for secrecy.
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Ken's Non-Traditional Path to Apple
- Ken Kocienda's unconventional path to Apple included history, motorcycle mechanics, photography, and web development.
- His diverse background highlights the value of exploring different fields.
Apple's Software Vision: Control and User Experience
- Apple's software vision prioritizes control over critical user experience technologies.
- This led to developing Safari in-house despite the existence of open-source options like Mozilla and Conqueror.
Steve Jobs' Mandate: A Fast Browser
- Steve Jobs mandated a 'fast' browser, leading to the page load test (PLT).
- This focus resulted in Safari being three times faster than Internet Explorer upon release.