Tony Fadell: iPhone, iPod, Nest, Steve Jobs, Design, and Engineering
Lex Fridman Podcast #294
Tony Fadell is an engineer and designer best known for co-creating the iPod, iPhone, and Nest thermostat. In this episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast, Fadell discusses his life, work, and experiences with Lex Fridman.
Introduction
Fadell fell in love with computers and programming in fifth grade, and was hooked by the power of the Apple II. He started working for a small company that sold Apple II software and accessories, and began writing software himself. By creating software to install patches to access new hardware, Fadell made it easier for users to expand their computing power. He also wrote a hard drive optimizer for the Apple II to reduce fragmentation, and sold it through the company.
Working with Steve Jobs
After college, Fadell worked at General Magic, where he helped develop the first smartphone. He then joined Philips to work on consumer electronics, but was lured back to Apple by Steve Jobs. Fadell worked with Jobs on the iPod and iPhone, and recalls the intense pressure Jobs placed on the team to create the best products possible. Jobs pushed Fadell and his team to use glass instead of plastic on the front face of the iPhone, despite the risks…
