Anthony Michael "Tony" Fadell (born March 22, 1969) is a prominent American engineer, entrepreneur, designer, and investor, widely recognized for his instrumental role in the creation of several iconic consumer electronics products that defined the early 21st century. Often referred to as the "father of the iPod," Fadell’s career spans over three decades, marked by his work at major technology companies and his subsequent emergence as a influential startup mentor and venture investor. Born in Michigan to a Lebanese-American father and a Polish-American mother, Fadell developed an early fascination with computers and electronics. He attended Grosse Pointe South High School in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and later pursued his higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering in 1991. During his undergraduate years, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by founding Constructive Instruments, a company that developed multimedia software for children. Following graduation, Fadell began his professional career at General Magic, an innovative but ultimately commercially unsuccessful startup where he spent three years working on advanced handheld communicator prototypes. This experience was foundational to his technical expertise. He later joined Philips Electronics, where he co-founded the company's Mobile Computing Group. As Chief Technology Officer and later Vice President of Strategy and Ventures, he was instrumental in developing early personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as the Philips Velo and Nino. After leaving Philips, he founded a tech startup called Fuse, seeking to create a new generation of consumer electronics devices. In 2001, Fadell’s career reached a turning point when he was hired by Apple Inc. as an outside contractor to help the company develop an MP3 player. His concept for a small, hard disk-based music player—coupled with an online music store—caught the attention of Steve Jobs, leading Fadell to join the company full-time. He was soon tasked with establishing and leading Apple's "Special Projects" group, which would evolve into the iPod division. As Senior Vice President, he oversaw the hardware, software, and accessory development for the first 18 generations of the iPod. Following the success of the iPod, Fadell played a crucial role in the development of the first three generations of the iPhone, cementing his reputation as a key figure in the mobile revolution. After leaving Apple, Fadell co-founded Nest Labs in 2010. The company revolutionized the smart home market with the introduction of the Nest Learning Thermostat in 2011, which utilized machine learning to optimize home energy usage. Under Fadell’s leadership as CEO, Nest expanded its product line to include smoke detectors and security systems. The company was acquired by Google in 2014 for $3.2 billion, a transaction that underscored the immense value of the IoT ecosystem Fadell helped create. He remained with the company for a period following the acquisition before stepping down in 2016. Since his departure from Nest, Fadell has pivoted toward investment and advisory work. He currently serves as the Principal of Build Collective, an investment and advisory firm that supports deep-tech startups and engineers working on climate-positive and "human-centric" innovations. A prolific inventor, Fadell has authored over 300 patents throughout his career. In 2022, he published the book *Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making*, an autobiographical advice book that outlines his philosophy on leadership, product design, and navigating the complexities of the Silicon Valley landscape. Based in Paris, France, Fadell continues to influence the technology industry as a mentor, investor, and board member for companies such as Arm Holdings. His contributions to consumer electronics have been recognized with numerous accolades, including his inclusion on Time magazine’s list of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2014.