Designer Philippe Starck Says Working on 'Revolutionary' Product with Apple, Release in 8 Months

As noted by Mac4Ever [Google translation], legendary French designer Philippe Starck revealed on a radio show today that he has been working with Apple on a "revolutionary" new product, with the product set to launch within the next eight months.

philippe starck
Philippe Starck (Source: Flickr/jikatu)

French newspaper Le Figaro has more on Starck's comments [Google translation], noting that he met with Steve Jobs monthly for seven years to talk. Starck also notes that he will be heading to Cupertino to talk with Jobs' widow, Laurene Powell Jobs, suggesting that he is indeed a relatively close friend of the family.

As for the identity of the product in question, speculation naturally turns to an Apple television set, which has been rumored for a launch late this year or early next year. On the electronics side, Starck has experience in speaker and headphone design, with his Parrot Zikmu wireless speaker with iPhone/iPod dock being sold through Apple's online store in some countries. Starck's Parrot Zik headphones are also due for release later this year. Consequently, it is unclear from his brief comments whether he is working on an actual Apple product or something else for which he is coordinating with Apple.

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Top Rated Comments

Hastings101 Avatar
160 months ago
Sorry, I only buy Apple products that are magical. The revolutionary ones are just lame in comparison.
Score: 58 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stetrain Avatar
160 months ago
And he was never heard from again.


:p
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sky Blue Avatar
160 months ago
iPad socks
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
detall Avatar
160 months ago
a clone of Steve Jobs. Takes 9 months for a baby
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sky Blue Avatar
160 months ago
Sorry, I only buy Apple products that are magical. The revolutionary ones are just lame in comparison.

What about the resolutionary ones?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xionxiox Avatar
160 months ago
Jonny Ive seems to have run out of ideas so this might be good to see something new for a change.
I wonder how that's working out with Jony Ive?

Did Steve think that Jony couldn't come up with the required design of the "revolutionary" product or is the "revolutionary" product just so fricking awesome, that it needed two top designers to work on it?
I hope you realize Jon Ive is not the only one who comes up with designs. It's a team of people.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)