Meta Poached Apple’s Top Design Guys to Fix Its Software UI

Meta is poaching top design talent from rival tech giant Apple to overhaul its software user interface, a move that could significantly impact the company's strategy and future success.

According to sources close to the matter, Alan Dye, formerly Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design, has joined Meta to head up a new design studio within Meta’s Reality Labs. Billy Sorrentino, a senior director on Apple’s design team (and former WIRED creative director), is also set to join Meta’s Reality Labs.

The move is seen as a major coup for Mark Zuckerberg, who has been pushing for more investment in AI and design at Meta. The two designers are renowned for their work on Apple's products, including the Apple Watch and Vision Pro, and their arrival at Meta could signal a significant shift in the company's approach to user interface.

In a post on the Meta platform Threads, Zuckerberg said that Dye and Sorrentino would lead the new studio and "bring together design, fashion, and technology to define the next generation of our products and experiences." This suggests that Meta is looking to create more cohesive and stylish designs across its various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Anshel Sag, a tech analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, believes that the move could help Meta overcome some of its software issues. "Meta has always been a software nightmare," he said. "There's a lot of inconsistency across all of Meta’s software platforms... If they want users to stay on their platform, they're going to have to fix the UI."

The hiring is also seen as part of Meta's broader effort to improve its AI capabilities and compete with rival companies like Apple. The company has been investing heavily in machine intelligence research, including a reported $1 billion budget for AI research this year.

While Dye and Sorrentino are leaving Apple at a time when the company is struggling to match Meta's success in wearable technology, their arrival could signal significant changes in Meta's approach to smart glasses. The company has already gained traction with its Ray-Ban Meta lenses, which have been praised for their stylish design.

Overall, the poaching of top design talent from Apple suggests that Meta is taking a major step towards improving its software user interface and creating more cohesive designs across its various platforms.

So they're poaching these top designers from Apple to make their UI better? That's like saying "let's just hire someone good at design, we'll figure out the tech later". I mean, what makes me think this is going to magically fix Meta's software issues? I need some actual data on how these designers are going to improve things before I get excited. Are there any studies or metrics that show UI redesigns actually lead to better user experience? Or is it just going to be another fancy new design with no substance behind it?

just hope meta doesn't go all apple on us , don't wanna see them making their own version of the mac pro , but seriously tho, having alan dye & billy sorrentino on board is a big win for meta , could be the push they need to get their software looking more cohesive and stylish

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one . I mean, who wouldn't want the best designers in the game on their team? Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino are like the holy grail of design talent . It's no wonder Mark Zuckerberg is so stoked about this move - he needs all the help he can get to sort out Meta's UI issues . I'm curious to see what kind of changes they'll bring over, but one thing's for sure: Meta's gotta step up their design game if they wanna compete with Apple . This could be a major turning point for the company...

idk what meta's doing but this makes sense they need some fresh blood to fix all their ui issues, which is pretty much everythin' on their platforms rn apple's design team is like the best in the game, so it's no surprise they're poaching talent mark zuckerberg must be super hyped about this move finally a chance for meta to get some consistency across all their apps and maybe even catch up with apple's wearable tech

i think meta is finally gettin serious about design they need a refresh, trust me i used to have an ipad pro but after switching to my new iphone 14 pro... it's like night and day meta needs ppl like dye and sorrentino on board ASAP or their software gonna keep suckin zuck needs to step up his game

I think this is a win-win situation for both sides ! Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino are geniuses when it comes to design, and I'm sure they'll bring that expertise to Meta's Reality Labs. It's not like Apple is losing out on anything - they're still gonna make awesome products . And let's be real, Meta needs a design boost ASAP . I mean, have you tried navigating Facebook lately? It's like, woah . So yeah, this move is all about improving the user experience and making Meta more competitive in the market. Bring it on!

idk why meta is trying to copy apple's design style tho i mean, they're already doing something different with those ray-ban lenses... but maybe it's just about making their products look prettier ? anyway, does anyone know how to use the new meta lens thingy with facebook? i've been stuck on that for hours

I think this move by Meta is pretty interesting . On one hand, it's not surprising that they'd want to upgrade their design team, especially when you consider the competition in the wearables market right now . Apple's got a great track record with their designs, so I'm sure Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino are going to bring some serious expertise to Meta.

But what really caught my eye is how they're framing this move as an opportunity to "bring together design, fashion, and technology" . That sounds like a pretty bold vision for the company, especially when you consider their AI ambitions . It's like they want to create this cohesive user experience across all of their platforms, from Facebook to Instagram to WhatsApp.

The thing is, it's not just about aesthetics - it's also about creating an intuitive interface that actually works . As Anshel Sag said, Meta has always struggled with software consistency, and I think this move could be a major step towards fixing that problem.

But we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out . One thing's for sure - if anyone can make design and technology come together in a way that's both stylish and functional, it's Mark Zuckerberg

It's no surprise that Meta's going all out to poach top designers from Apple . Their software UI has been a bit of a mess for ages, and it's time they shook things up. With Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino on board, I think we can expect some serious design revamps across the board . It'll be interesting to see how they blend their expertise with Meta's existing AI research - could lead to some innovative new products and experiences . Mark Zuckerberg's pushing for a more cohesive look and feel, which is music to my ears . The question now is, can they pull it off?

I don't think this is good for Apple . I mean, they're losing some of their best designers to a rival company? That's gotta hurt. And I'm not sure Mark Zuckerberg is the right guy to lead this project... he's more into making a bunch of money than actually making great design happen .

And let's be real, Meta's got some serious UI issues . I mean, have you tried using Facebook lately? It's like they're trying to drive everyone crazy . So yeah, poaching top talent from Apple might help them improve their game, but it's not gonna make up for the fact that they're still kinda buggy and clunky .

I hope Billy Sorrentino and Alan Dye can bring some much-needed design sense to Meta... we need to see more cohesive experiences across all their platforms . And maybe, just maybe, this move will push Apple to step up their game too . One thing's for sure: the smart glass market is gonna be interesting with these two guys in the mix !

I just got back from the most random trip to the beach last weekend and I'm still trying to figure out why my sunscreen bottle was all wrong... like, I thought it was SPF 50 but it was actually SPF 30 . Anyway, have you guys ever noticed how some sunscreens are just a bit too greasy? Like, I get that they're supposed to moisturize your skin and all, but come on!

I'm not sure if I'd say this is a good thing . I mean, it's like when someone steals your favorite recipe - you might be happy at first, but then you realize they've changed the ingredients and now it's just not the same . If Meta is poaching top design talent from Apple, that means their UI is probably pretty broken right now . And let's be real, if they're trying to overhaul their software user interface, that's a big undertaking . It's like trying to fix all the Lego pieces in your child's playroom... it's gonna take some time and effort . I'm curious to see how this plays out, but for now, I'm just not feeling too optimistic about Meta's chances of success

Meta thinks they're gonna be the next big thing with all these fresh designers on board... I mean, it's like they're trying to revamp their whole vibe, you feel? They need to step up their game if they wanna keep users engaged. Apple's got that slick design going on and Meta's been playing catch-up for a while now. Mark Zuckerberg's gotta believe his new squad can make some magic happen ...

I think this is some crazy news lol Meta's trying to overhaul their UI by snatching top designers from Apple? That's like, a whole different game . I mean, Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino are total rockstars when it comes to design, so if they're joining Meta, that's gotta be good for users . The idea of bringing together design, fashion, and tech is kinda cool too . But let's be real, I've had some issues with Meta's software before . Consistency across platforms has always been a problem for me. Fingers crossed that this new team can help shake things up and make the UI more user-friendly . One thing's for sure though, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out .

I'm not surprised Meta's trying to overhaul its UI - it's been a mess for ages! They really need some fresh eyes to help them create an experience that's both functional and stylish. The fact that they're poaching top talent from Apple is a big deal, too - those designers have got skills! I'm curious to see how this new design studio will shake things up at Meta.

But what really gets me is the emphasis on making their products more cohesive and stylish. Like, isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we're going to make our stuff look better"? I mean, I get it - good design matters! But I hope they don't forget about user experience and functionality in the process.

And what's up with Meta's AI game? They've been throwing money at this for years, but results are still mixed. Can't wait to see how these new hires bring their A-game to the table!

I'm so excited to see this move by Meta! They really are stepping up their game when it comes to UI design . I mean, who wouldn't want stylish and cohesive designs on all their apps? It's like they're finally getting it - users don't just use software for functionality, but also for the experience . And with these top designers on board, I'm sure we'll see some seriously innovative stuff . The tech world is definitely heating up and I'm loving every minute of it !

Meta's move to hire key designers from Apple could be a game changer for them . I mean, think about it, they're basically stealing the best talent in the industry to overhaul their UI. It's not just about design, it's about creating an experience that users actually want to use . If Dye and Sorrentino can bring some consistency and style to Meta's software platforms, it could be a major confidence booster for Zuckerberg's vision. Plus, with AI capabilities on the rise, this move could also help them compete with Apple in wearable tech . I'm curious to see how this all plays out and whether Meta's new design studio can deliver on its promises

omg I am SO here for this meta needs an upgrade ASAP and if they're poaching top designers from apple it's like, the ultimate win billy sorrentino is a total design god and alan dyne is like, the master of ui i'm low-key obsessed with what they'll come up with at reality labs mark zuckerberg better be ready to slay the game with these new design vibes

idk why meta needs to go out of its way to get designers like this tho its already got some talented people on board. but i guess if they're gonna overhaul their ui, they gotta bring in the best maybe it's a good thing for apple tho, they can focus on making those glasses instead of competing with meta