iLounge

Apple has hired Michael Tchao, one of the original developers of the Newton, as Vice President of product marketing, the New York Times reports. Apple spokesman Steve Dowling confirmed the hire, saying that Tchao will report to Phil Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. Tchao left Apple roughly 15 years ago, and was most recently general manager of Nike’s Techlab, where he was responsible for the Nike+ product line, amongst other technologies. Although Tchao’s exact duties at Apple have yet to be revealed, the article suggests that he may oversee the marketing of Apple’s rumored tablet device, with one employee, speaking anonymously, saying, “[h]e’s got the scars and the great ideas” with regards to tablet computing.