<div>One of the pioneers behind the iPhone, software engineer Greg Christie, is leaving Apple, a spokesman has said.</div><div> </div><div>"Greg has been planning to retire later this year after nearly 20 years at Apple," an official said in an email yesterday, saying he had made vital contributions to Apple.</div><div> </div><div>Christie was part of the team that developed the iOS software for the first iPhone, which came out in 2007.</div><div> </div><div>Christie was until now leading a team working on a so-called human interface team developing more software for Apple.</div><div> </div><div>His role will be taken over by the current vice president for design, Jonathan Ive.</div><div> </div><div>Ive in recent years has been working on Apple products' external look.</div><div> </div><div>But industry publications say he has played a major role in developing the latest version of the iPhone operating system iOS 7.</div><div> </div><div>(AFP)</div>
