Adobe Tech Chief Lynch Leaves for Apple

(Photo : Creative Commons/Erik Derr)

Adobe Systems' chief technology officer, Kevin Lynch, has left the company for Apple, Inc., where he will serve as vice president of technologies.

News of the resignation came inside of an SEC filing, though the move to Apple was reported by CNBC.

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Adobe said in a statement:

"Kevin Lynch, Adobe CTO, is leaving the company effective March 22 to take a position at Apple. We will not be replacing the CTO position; responsibility for technology development lies with our business unit heads under the leadership of Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen. Bryan Lamkin, who has recently returned to Adobe, will assume responsibilities for cross company research and technology initiatives as well as Corporate Development. We wish Kevin well in this new chapter of his career."

As Apple's new vice president of technologies, Lynch will report to senior vice president Bob Mansfield, according to CNBC.

Apple created the technologies group as part of its shake up last October , when it also announced the departure of iOS software chief Scott Forstall as well as retail chief John Browett.

Apple is apparently still looking for Browett's replacement, but reportedly has delegated some of previous Forstall's responsibilities to other top execs, including Craig Federighi, Jony Ive and Eddy Cue.

Lynch has a limited background working with Mac software. He was involved in the development of FrameMaker and its technology, which was acquired by Adobe.

Lynch worked at General Magic, which was founded by some of the original Mac team including Bill Atkinson and Andy Hertzfeld and pioneered the precursor to the PDA, along with an early version of General Motor's OnStar on-board navigation program.

Lynch distinguished himself in the past as a strong critic of Apple when the company opted not to include Adobe's Flash technology on the iPhone or iPad.

The news about Lynch's departure comes amid the media buzz over Adobe's better-than-expected first quarter.