Apple CEO John Ternus has revealed some of the details about why the company chose a specific design for its iPhone Duo. In a recent conversation with Canal+ talk show Clique, Ternus talked about the challenges in developing the company’s first-ever foldable smartphone.
Why iPhone Duo Has An iPad-Like Design
When opened, the foldable iPhone has a large display with an aspect ratio that makes it look like an iPad with two conventional smartphones placed side by side. According to Ternus, Apple has avoided simply combining two phone-shaped displays. Rather, the tech firm wanted to create a large-display experience that could feel natural.
Ternus said, “I think it’s something new and unique, right? But I think we didn’t want to just do what we’d seen other people do, which is sort of take two phone shapes and stick them together and then you get this weird square thing. We came at it from we want to build a large screen experience that feels right to us. And obviously we’ve been doing that for a long time with iPad. And so we knew kind of the shape, you know, we came up with this new aspect ratio.”
The Apple CEO also reportedly revealed that iPhone Duo involved solving a large number of engineering problems. He said the project had given Apple’s engineers an opportunity to create new solutions rather than only following existing designs. Among the major challenges were the hinge of the device and its display and making them reliable.
Ternus said there were “so many problems” to solve while developing the device. He added that the project allowed Apple’s teams to “be really clever” and “come up with entirely new things.” Interestingly, Ternus was also asked about his favourite feature or trick on the iPhone Duo. Instead of pointing to any significant hardware feature, he reportedly mentioned the animation that appears as the device is opened.
“I mean, this is really fun, you know, the animation that you get as you open it across from one side to the other. It’s just sort of whimsical and fun. And it brings a smile to your face,” expressed Ternus.
The Apple CEO also spoke about the company’s approach to AI companions. Ternus reportedly highlighted Apple’s position that Siri AI is not intended to act as a human friend or replace personal relationships. He said Apple wants its AI systems to serve users without becoming substitutes for connections with other people.
Ternus said Siri AI is “not designed to be your friend,” echoing comments previously made by Apple’s Craig Federighi. “They’re how we learn, they’re how we grow, they’re how we find joy and happiness,” Ternus said while discussing human relationships.
Despite taking over as Apple’s CEO, Ternus said he does not see his leadership as a major break from the company’s existing direction. Reportedly, he said Apple will continue to focus on innovation, products and its customers, adding that these priorities have been part of the company for a long time.
