Microsoft hires former Apple exec to work on HoloLens, special projects

Former Apple executive Ruben Caballero, who previously led the iPhone maker's 5G modem initiative, was picked up by Microsoft in March to work on emerging products like its HoloLens mixed reality headset.

According to a recently updated LinkedIn profile, Caballero now serves as a Microsoft corporate vice president in charge of hardware design and technology. More specifically, the wireless technology specialist is assigned to Microsoft's Mixed Reality & AI Division, which is responsible for the development of HoloLens and other "Special Projects."

A 14-year Apple veteran, Caballero left the Cupertino tech giant in April 2019 after the company reached a resolution to a drawn out legal battle with Qualcomm. At the time, the executive was thought to be heading a team tasked with the development of an in-house 5G modem.

Six months after departing Apple, Caballero was named chief wireless strategist at Keyssa, a startup focused on integrated wireless solutions. Detailed in a press release last October, Keyssa is currently developing technology that seeks to replace internal wired connections, like those between camera modules and logic board chips, with wireless alternatives.

Caballero is also working with a handful of fellow Apple alums at Humane, a shadowy startup founded by former Apple designer Imran Chaudhri and director of software engineering Bethany Bongiorno. The company has yet to announce its first product.

The engineer will retain advisory roles at Keyssa and Humane while working at Microsoft, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Bloomberg reported on Caballero's hire earlier today.

8 Comments

Beats 3073 comments · 4 Years

About 4 years ago

Don't worry they'll find a way to f*** it up.

revenant 610 comments · 15 Years

notice what apple is not doing, suing microsoft for being anti-competitive for also having a AR project and perhaps poaching an employee.

CloudTalkin 916 comments · 5 Years

revenant said:

notice what apple is not doing, suing microsoft for being anti-competitive for also having a AR project and perhaps poaching an employee.

Not to spoil the narrative you're pushing, but it would be literally impossible for Apple to sue MS for anything implied in your comment. I mean, Caballero heads to MS from Keyssa and Humane, not from Apple. Hololens' genesis lies in the XBox Kinect's lineage. Your comment makes no sense at all.

CloudTalkin said:

Not to spoil the narrative you're pushing, but it would be literally impossible for Apple to sue MS for anything implied in your comment. I mean, Caballero heads to MS from Keyssa and Humane, not from Apple. Hololens' genesis lies in the XBox Kinect's lineage. Your comment makes no sense at all.

still the expertise they are looking for. not apples to apples with the tile thing but not so far off.

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

revenant said:

notice what apple is not doing, suing microsoft for being anti-competitive for also having a AR project and perhaps poaching an employee.

How are Microsoft being anti-competitive by hiring an ex-Apple employee to work on a product that has no competitor manufactured by Apple? If you're going to be petty at least try and make sense.