Apple has cleared the way for Mark Papermaster to start working as head of iPod and iPhone development, starting April 24th. The previous roadblock was a non-compete clause from his time at IBM.

Mark Papermaster to Begin at Apple as Senior Vice President of Devices
Hardware Engineering on April 24

CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today
announced that Mark Papermaster will be coming to Apple as senior vice
president of Devices Hardware Engineering, reporting to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, on April 24. Papermaster, who comes to Apple from IBM, will lead Apple's iPod(R) and iPhone(TM) hardware engineering teams. The litigation between IBM and Mark Papermaster has been resolved.
Papermaster has 25 years of product and technology experience, and was previously a vice president at IBM. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas, and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont in 1988. Papermaster is active with the University of Texas where he is a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Council.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

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