Part 7/14:
Meanwhile, internal skepticism and concern grew among designers and engineers. The iconic Johnny Ive, who had shaped Apple’s aesthetic identity, witnessed a shift during the launch of the Apple Watch. His vision of a fashion-forward, beautifully crafted device clashed with a company increasingly cautious about costs and market timing. Hesitation marked decision-making, and creative debates cooled, signaling that Apple had become more risk-averse.