Heads Roll At Apple

[lomatopo]

In Shake-Up, Apple’s Mobile Software and Retail Chiefs to Depart

By NICK WINGFIELD and NICK BILTON

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

OCTOBER 29, 2012

8:24 p.m. | Updated Apple fired the executives in charge of the company’s mobile software efforts and retail stores, in a management shake-up aimed at making the company’s divisions work more harmoniously together.

The biggest of the changes involved the departure of Scott Forstall, an Apple veteran who for several years ran software development for Apple’s iPad and iPhone products. Mr. Forstall was an important executive at the company and the one who, in many respects, seemed to most closely embody the technology vision of Steven P. Jobs, the former chief executive of Apple who died a year ago.

But Mr. Forstall was also known as ambitious and divisive, qualities that generated more friction within Apple after the death of Mr. Jobs, who had kept the dueling egos of his senior executives largely in check. Mr. Forstall’s responsibilities will be divided among a few other Apple executives.

While tensions between Mr. Forstall and other executives had been mounting for some time, a recent incident appeared to play a major role in his dismissal. After an outcry among iPhone customers about bugs in the company’s new mobile maps service, Mr. Forstall refused to sign a public apology over the matter, dismissing the problems as exaggerated, according to people with knowledge of the situation who declined to be named discussing confidential matters.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/apples-mobile-software-and-retail-chiefs-to-depart/

[lomatopo]

(Wait for a gigantic storm before whacking two execs. )

http://www.zdnet.com/apple-management-reshuffle-the-who-the-why-and-the-next-7000006561/

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-29/apple-says-forstall-browett-to-exit-ive-to-add-responsibility

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/oct/30/apple-tim-cook-ruthless-streak?newsfeed=true

[Chicog]

"Sign a public apology"?

Either he said it wasn't ready and Tim Cook should go for ignoring him, or he lied and said it was, in which case his sacking is justified.

[thaicruze]

The Maps thing. You know heads had to roll. But, in all fairness, didn't anyone TRY it before they sold it?

[lomatopo]

Skeuomorphism bites the dust. (In retrospect, not hard to see this one coming)

Will Apple’s Tacky Software-Design Philosophy Cause A Revolt?

FAST COMPANY'S AUSTIN CARR SPEAKS WITH INDUSTRY INSIDERS AND EX-APPLE DESIGNERS WHO HAVE SOURED ON THE FAKE LEATHER, GLASS, AND WOOD THAT RUNS THROUGH OS X AND IOS.

By now it’s almost inevitable given the company’s track record: No matter what Apple unveils tomorrow at the Yerba Buena Center (an iPad Mini? iPhone 5?), pundits will herald the company for its innovative thinking and bold hardware design. But the elephant in the room will be Apple’s software, which many inside the company believe has evolved for the worse in the last few years.

http://www.fastcodes...-cause-a-revolt

Edited October 31, 2012 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

Hard to believe they gave this guy twit $56 million up front.

Monday, October 29, 2012, 06:47 pm

John Browett's short tenure at Apple was marked by strife

By Daniel Eran Dilger

Less than ten months after hiring John Browett to lead its retail stores, Apple has already decided to let the former chief executive of Dixons go.

Apple hired Browett at the end of January to fill the shoes of Ron Johnson, who had left Apple the previous November for an opportunity to remake US retailer JC Penny as its chief executive.

Johnson had built Apple's retail presence over the past decade, creating a string of the most profitable retail stores around the world. In its quarterly earnings call last week, the company noted that it now has 390 stores worldwide, generating an average revenue per store of $11.2 million. Apple's retail stores sold 1.1 million of the quarter's 4.9 million Macs.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/10/29/john-browetts-short-tenure-at-apple-was-marked-by-strife

Golden Hello!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/electronics/9293179/Former-Dixons-boss-John-Browett-gets-36m-golden-hello-for-joining-Apple.html

[Chicog]

The Maps thing. You know heads had to roll. But, in all fairness, didn't anyone TRY it before they sold it?

Quite a blunder really.

[jbrain]

In 1976 Steve Jobs created a wonderful and profitable company named Apple.

When he was ousted from the company in 1986 , the comapny declined at a very fast pace, which was only to be halted by taking Jobs back in anno 1997.

Last year Steve Jobs died, and look how fast the company goes into decline again. Only difference with 1986 is that Steve has departed to no return this time.

[lomatopo]

I think the goofy iOS crap, aka "Skeumorphism" - really did Forstall in? Jobs championed it but most think it is ridiculous.

Many say he was divisive, not willing to work on the iOS/OS X merger, gunning for Cook's job. Basically he sounds like a complete tool whom everyone hated, and his days were numbered once Jobs was laid to rest.

Again, a pre-whacking article: http://www.forbes.co...orphism-in-ios/

"What’s skeuomorphism? If you’ve ever used an Apple product, you’ve experienced digital skeuomorphic design: calendars with faux leather-stitching, bookshelves with wood veneers, fake glass and paper and brushed chrome. Skeuomorphism is a catch-all term for when objects retain ornamental elements of past, derivative iterations–elements that are no longer necessary to the current objects’ functions."

"Inside Apple, tension has brewed for years over the issue. Apple iOS SVP Scott Forstall is said to push for skeuomorphic design, while industrial designer Jony Ive and other Apple higher-ups are said to oppose the direction. “You could tell who did the product based on how much glitz was in the UI,” says one source intimately familiar with Apple’s design process."

In 1976 Steve Jobs created a wonderful and profitable company named Apple.

When he was ousted from the company in 1986 , the comapny declined at a very fast pace, which was only to be halted by taking Jobs back in anno 1997.

Last year Steve Jobs died, and look how fast the company goes into decline again. Only difference with 1986 is that Steve has departed to no return this time.

They did just have their best quarter ever, and introduced a boat-load of new products. Decline? Maybe your perspective is skewed?

Edited October 31, 2012 by lomatopo

[jbrain]

In 1976 Steve Jobs created a wonderful and profitable company named Apple.

When he was ousted from the company in 1986 , the comapny declined at a very fast pace, which was only to be halted by taking Jobs back in anno 1997.

Last year Steve Jobs died, and look how fast the company goes into decline again. Only difference with 1986 is that Steve has departed to no return this time.

They did just have their best quarter ever, and introduced a boat-load of new products. Decline? Maybe your perspective is skewed?

They had there best quarter sure, because customers considered this still being a top product like Jobs was used to deliver.

Then it turned out the had issues with the map software, something never would have happened if Jobs was still there.

later theyhad issues with the delivery. You admitted yourself in another thread that this can kill the best company.

This sounds like something Ozzie might have said to Harriet in a fictionalized version of 1950's America.

Not being able to keep up with demand can kill a product/company in that it results in a market failure.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/593687-apple-stock/#entry5797596

Lets keep a close eye on the coming quarters, which further issues will pop up.

Or did you think that Apple in 1986 also declared bad figures the day after Jobs was ousted?

[nikster]

I think the goofy iOS crap, aka "Skeumorphism" - really did Forstall in? Jobs championed it but most think it is ridiculous.

Forstall was into it in a huge way. Jon Ive - who creates the iconic Apple hardware - hated it. I think it kind of worked as long as Jobs was around to keep it in check - it's a fine line.

The Calendar application in OS X was the one that pushed it over the topfor me - it's god-awful, there's just no way around it. The "torn off" calendar page look is idiotic on a product that one uses every day.

Forstall was just that kind of a guy...

The reshuffle was needed - it removed a controversial exec who had lots of enemies and kept making enemies, supposedly Ive would not go into meetings where he was present. No matter how good you are you need to be a team player in a large corporation.

And this resolved a lot of chain of command issues. Now there's one guy for software, and one guy for design (both hardware and software). That's it. Not one for iOS / iOS software design next to Ive (hardware design) and Federighi (OS X software).

The retail chief was just a costly mistake. When he got hired people who know Dixon's - I believe it's a UK chain- were wondering what the hell Apple was thinking as Dixon's had a terrible reputation for customer experience. At least they corrected it fast.

Edited November 1, 2012 by nikster

[jbrain]

I think the goofy iOS crap, aka "Skeumorphism" - really did Forstall in? Jobs championed it but most think it is ridiculous.

Many say he was divisive, not willing to work on the iOS/OS X merger, gunning for Cook's job. Basically he sounds like a complete tool whom everyone hated, and his days were numbered once Jobs was laid to rest.

Again, a pre-whacking article: http://www.forbes.co...orphism-in-ios/

"What’s skeuomorphism? If you’ve ever used an Apple product, you’ve experienced digital skeuomorphic design: calendars with faux leather-stitching, bookshelves with wood veneers, fake glass and paper and brushed chrome. Skeuomorphism is a catch-all term for when objects retain ornamental elements of past, derivative iterations–elements that are no longer necessary to the current objects’ functions."

"Inside Apple, tension has brewed for years over the issue. Apple iOS SVP Scott Forstall is said to push for skeuomorphic design, while industrial designer Jony Ive and other Apple higher-ups are said to oppose the direction. “You could tell who did the product based on how much glitz was in the UI,” says one source intimately familiar with Apple’s design process."

In 1976 Steve Jobs created a wonderful and profitable company named Apple.

When he was ousted from the company in 1986 , the comapny declined at a very fast pace, which was only to be halted by taking Jobs back in anno 1997.

Last year Steve Jobs died, and look how fast the company goes into decline again. Only difference with 1986 is that Steve has departed to no return this time.

They did just have their best quarter ever, and introduced a boat-load of new products. Decline? Maybe your perspective is skewed?

Hey Lomatopo, This one is specially for you.Maybe you can tell Forbes also they are insane

iPhone Loyalty Is Waning - Are You Surprised?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2012/11/05/iphone-loyalty-is-waning-are-you-surprised/?partner=yahootix

[lomatopo]

Report: Apple fires Maps manager

Scott Martin, USA TODAY

Mac maker shows the door to Maps manager over heated criticism

5:38PM EST November 27. 2012 - SAN FRANCISCO — Apple has axed the manager of its highly criticized Maps application, according to reports.

Richard Williamson was shown the door by Eddy Cue, a senior vice president at Apple, according to Bloomberg.

Apple's Maps kerfuffle began immediately after the company launched the new app in its latest mobile operating system version, iOS 6.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/11/27/apple-google-eddy-cue-tim-cook/1729891/

[jbrain]

Report: Apple fires Maps manager

Scott Martin, USA TODAY

Mac maker shows the door to Maps manager over heated criticism

5:38PM EST November 27. 2012 - SAN FRANCISCO Apple has axed the manager of its highly criticized Maps application, according to reports.

Richard Williamson was shown the door by Eddy Cue, a senior vice president at Apple, according to Bloomberg.

Apple's Maps kerfuffle began immediately after the company launched the new app in its latest mobile operating system version, iOS 6.

http://www.usatoday....m-cook/1729891/

It took them that long to figure that out?

[lomatopo]

Apple retail executive resigns

Apple's retail division is still looking for a new leader.

By Chris O'Brien

January 15, 2013, 4:30 p.m.

Apple's retail division has taken another hit with the resignation of a top executive once thought to be a candidate to head the unit. First reported by tech site AllThingsD, Apple confirmed that Jerry McDougal, vice president of retail, had resigned this month. AllThingsD said sources had said McDougal left because he "wanted to spend more time with his family."

The retail division, which oversees Apple's stores, has been a pillar of the company's phenomenal success over the last decade. However, the architect of that retail strategy, Ron Johnson, left Apple last year to become chief executive of J.C. Penney. Johnson was replaced as senior vice president of retail by John Browett of Dixons. But Browett was fired nine months later. McDougal was considered a candidate to step into the top retail slot, so his resignation comes as a bit of a surprise.

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-retail-executive-resigns-20130115,0,6071674.story