Mark Papermaster, the Apple executive in charge of hardware for the iPhone, has left the company following the "antennagate" brouhaha over the iPhone 4 although that's not officially the reason for his departure, reports the "New York Times" (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/technology/08apple.html?_r=1&ref=business).

Apple confirmed Mr. Papermaster’s departure, but would not say whether he was ousted or left of his own accord, the article adds. Reached on his cellphone by the "Times," Papermaster declined to comment. A person with direct knowledge of the situation, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it, said Papermaster had been pushed out over a series of hardware problems, including some related to the iPod touch, the article adds.

Bob Mansfield, senior vice president for Mac hardware engineering, will assume his responsibilities. Papermaster started worked at Apple 2008 as senior vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering. He reported to CEO Steve Jobs.

He has 25 years of product and technology experience, and was previously a vice president at IBM. Papermaster 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. He's active with the University of Texas where he is a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Council.