Cook on firing Forstall: we needed to take collaboration to another level

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 6, 2012

As we’re counting down the remaining hours until Tim Cook’s first television appearance due at 10pm Eastern, 7pm Pacific, Bloomberg Businesweek’s Josh Tyrangiel had way too interesting fireside chat of his own with Apple’s boss, resulting in a massive 11-page article. Cook spoke about the shake-up and ouster of long-time Jobs confidant and iOS architect Scott Forstall, describing the decision as a matter of taking collaboration at Apple “to another level”.

He also praised the skill sets brought to the table by SVP of Internet Software & Services Eddy Cue, SVP of Technologies Bob Mansfield, SVP of Industrial Design Jony Ive and the recently-minted SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, all tasked now with addressing the different aspects of iOS and OS X that happened to be under Forstall’s more or less direct control… Read More

 

Tony Fadell: Scott Forstall ‘got what he deserved’

By Cody Lee on Nov 29, 2012

Ever since Apple announced Scott Forstall is going to be leaving the company next year, people have been trying to piece together what happened. How could this guy, who has been a major factor in Apple’s success, be pushed out like that?

We’ve heard a number of reasons for Forstall’s ousting over the past few weeks, ranging from the iOS 6 Maps debacle, to personality conflicts. And today, former Apple executive Tony Fadell offers up a little more insight on the situation… Read More

 

Steve Jobs biopic to focus on products and friction between execs

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 15, 2012

Lights! Action! Steve! Well, sort of. A biopic focusing on late Apple CEO Steve Jobs won’t be a cradle-to-grave review of the man who pulled Apple out of the ditch. Instead, the film will feature three behind-the-scenes glimpses into Jobs’ most famous products. According to screenwriter Aaron Sorkin who was hired to develop Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jobs for Sony Pictures, the upcoming flick will be comprised of just three 30-minutes scenes backstage before the introduction of the original Mac, NeXT and the iPod. Sorkin is known for his screenplays featuring character studies, such as his acclaimed look at Facebook, The Social Network… Read More

 

Firing Forstall was a mistake, says former engineer

By Christian Zibreg on Nov 12, 2012

Apple CEO Tim Cook’s decision to fire the architect of Apple’s mobile and desktop operating systems was a mistake, according to former senior Apple manager Michael Lopp. He is calling for a downturn for the company and predicting that “Apple’s doom will start quietly”.

You may have noticed trending Apple doomsday scenarios as haters are having a field day painting the company’s recent moves in negative light. Forstall, Lopp says, “was old school”, the closest thing the company had to Steve Jobs. Lopp goes as far to claim Forstall was the only legit successor to Jobs “because he displayed a variety of Jobsian characteristics”… Read More

 

Apple’s software problems go deeper than skeuomorphism

By Cody Lee on Nov 6, 2012

Though it took a lot of people by surprise, the overall feeling on Scott Forstall leaving Apple is mostly positive. The long-time SVP has been painted as extremely difficult to work with, and the leading advocate for the controversial skeuomorphic elements in iOS.

Forstall’s duties will be split up among several executives, with all Human Interface stuff, for both hardware and software, now rolling up to Jony Ives. A lot of folks think Ive’s talent for aesthetics will transfer over to software and give iOS a much needed makeover.

But are rich Corinthian leathers and dark linen backgrounds Apple’s biggest problems in software? Read More

 

Ive and Forstall were ‘rarely in the same room’

By Christian Zibreg on Nov 2, 2012

That SVP and iOS chief Scott Forstall fell out of favor with Apple CEO Tim Cook and other vice presidents because of his abrasive and divisive style is no secret. Forstall, 44, was Apple’s youngest vice president. He was also the brains behind OS X since 2006 and the architect of your iPhone’s software. The executive was especially at odds with Apple’s famed industrial design guru Jony Ive over software design. According to a new report by Bloomberg, bad blood ran so deep that Forstall wouldn’t even participate in Ive’s meetings where crucial software and hardware design aspects had been discussed… Read More

 

Scott Forstall was one of Apple’s most prolific inventors

By Cody Lee on Nov 1, 2012

Since Apple announced on Monday that Scott Forstall would be leaving the company next year, we’ve heard a number of reports regarding the way other employees viewed the long-time SVP of iOS Software.

Needless to say, most of the stuff we’ve heard hasn’t been positive. He’s been described as polarizing, and abrasive, and was accused of abusing his relationship with Steve Jobs. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t an asset… Read More

 

Jony Ive expected to ditch reality for greater minimalism

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 1, 2012

Do you love that linen-like background when logging into your iOS or Mac device? Well, it could be the most visible fatality as minimalism overtakes realism and design chief Jonathan Ive takes the reigns once held by iOS honcho Scott Forstall. That noise you hear is the splintering of the Jobs era and Cook era at Apple.

Forstall, who headed iOS development, was also the chief cheerleader of the late Steve Jobs. Jobs loved what design geeks term skeuomorphism, a Greek word meaning a tool’s shape. In computer design, placing realistic objects – such as linen on a screen or ebooks stored in a wooden bookshelf – are used to lend a sense of assurance, like seeing a familiar face among a crowd of strangers.

But with Jobs gone, voices within the Cupertino, California firm which simply hated this sort of design gained volume. A particularly vehement enemy of Forstall’s design philosophy: Industrial design guru Jony Ive… Read More

 

Mansfield return as SVP influenced by Forstall’s ousting

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 1, 2012

The many layers of why Scott Forstall was ousted as Apple’s iOS chief just keep peeling away. The latest wrinkle: Bob Mansfield, the company’s former hardware engineering senior vice president, agreed to come out of retirement to become senior vice president of Technologies, a new group encompassing wireless and hardware tech, only after Apple CEO Tim Cook offered a boatload of cash and the promise he didn’t have to talk to Forstall… Read More

 

Joy of Tech’s funny read on Scott Forstall’s ousting

By Christian Zibreg on Oct 31, 2012

Joy of Tech does regular takes on the tech industry’s blunders and Apple is often the subject of their daily web comic. This is their view of Monday’s executive shake-up that saw CEO Tim Cook fire long-time iOS chief Scott Forstall and retail boss (though he never earned that title) John Browett. Go past the fold for the comic and an additional explanation… Read More

 

Shake ups and shufflings: some thoughts on the new Apple

By Sebastien Page on Oct 30, 2012

If there’s one thing that really came as a surprise this month, it’s certainly not the iPad mini, or any other product announcement, but the executives shake up and shuffling at Apple. SVP of Retail John Browett is gone, and that’s a good thing, and really, hardly a surprise. The biggest surprise was that he was hired in the first place. The real bombshell in yesterday’s abrupt announcement is the departure of SVP of iOS Software, Scott Forstall.

Although it was the biggest kick, Apple’s press release also told us that Ive would now be in charge of Human Interface (aka everything design), iOS and OS X groups are now one, Maps and Siri are now part of the Internet Services unit, and Mansfield will lead the new Technologies group.

Now that we’ve gathered a little more information about the news and that I’ve had time to really soak it in, I’d like to share my thoughts on the situation, and what it all means for the new Apple… Read More

 

Analysts assure investors that Apple is in good hands without Scott Forstall

By Ed Sutherland on Oct 30, 2012

The departure of Scott Forstall, long-time aide to the late Steve Jobs, leaves Apple “in good hands,” analysts are assuring investors. Additionally, Jonathan Ive, the design guru, will likely gain even more power, overseeing both hardware and software. Forstall, head of iOS until Monday, was in charge of the company’s move toward Apple Maps. He reportedly was forced out after refusing to sign a public apology letter following the mapping debacle. But friction was building between Forstall and a cadre of executives now surrounding Apple CEO Tim Cook… Read More

 

More details regarding Forstall’s ousting emerge

By Cody Lee on Oct 30, 2012

If you’ve been anywhere near a computer for the past 24 hours, chances are you’ve heard the news: Scott Forstall, Apple’s SVP of iOS Software will be leaving the company next year.

The word is, Forstall was pushed out for a number of reasons, but the tipping point was the recent iOS 6 Maps debacle. And today, even more details have emerged about his ousting… Read More

 

WSJ: Scott Forstall was pushed out of Apple for refusing to sign Maps apology

By Cody Lee on Oct 29, 2012

Earlier this evening, Apple announced some major changes to its executive team. John Browett, the head of Apple Retail, will be leaving the company. And more importantly, so will Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall.

Browett’s departure comes as no surprise, as he’s had several missteps in his short time at Apple. But Forstall’s exit caught some folks off guard, begging the question: was it his decision? And according to a new report, the answer is no… Read More

 

Tim Cook sends email to Apple employees regarding management changes

By Cody Lee on Oct 29, 2012

Earlier today, Apple announced some major changes to its management team. The company’s SVP of iOS Software, Scott Forstall, will be leaving next year, as will SVP of Retail John Browett. Other executives, particularly Jony Ive, will be picking up Forstall’s responsibilities, and a search is underway for Browett’s replacement.

This afternoon, Tim Cook sent an internal email to Apple employees regarding the management changes, and thanked Scott for his many years of service. We’ve got that email after the break… Read More

 

Apple’s SVP of iOS software Scott Forstall to leave the company next year

By Cody Lee on Oct 29, 2012

This is huge: Apple just announced that some major executive changes will be taking place in 2013, one of which involves Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall leaving the company. Forstall, as most of you know, has been largely responsible for the success of iOS and its devices. In his absence, Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield and other executives will take on more responsibilities.

Additionally, Apple’s newly-appointed head of retail John Browett will also be leaving the company. A new search for his position is already underway, and in the mean time, all Apple retail will be reporting directly to Tim Cook.

More details after the break… Read More

 

Steve Jobs warned Samsung not to steal inertial scrolling patent

By Christian Zibreg on Aug 7, 2012

As part of iOS chief Scott Forstall’s deposition in the Apple v. Samsung mega-suit, it was revealed that Steve Jobs explicitly advised Samsung against copying or stealing the rubber band scrolling, a feature Jobs specifically underscored during his January 2007 iPhone keynote.

Another tidbit describes how Jobs felt about Samsung lifting the iPhone’s rectangular appearance and its icons… Read More

 

Scott Forstall on the early days of the iPhone project

By Cody Lee on Aug 3, 2012

It’s day 5 in the ongoing patent trial between Apple and Samsung, and Scott Forstall, Apple’s SVP of iOS software, is on the witness stand. As you can imagine, his time under oath has been fairly interesting thus far.

Earlier this afternoon, we told you about the internal email from Eddy Cue to Forstall that talked about Jobs’ interest in a 7-inch tablet. And now we’re moving on to the early days of Apple’s smartphone project… Read More

 

Internal email shows Steve Jobs was receptive to 7-inch tablet idea

By Cody Lee on Aug 3, 2012

Opponents of the rumored iPad mini have continued to recall Jobs’ disdain for a smaller screen as evidence that it won’t happen. And technically, they’re right. The CEO has been quoted as saying 7-inch displays are too small.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And in fact, according to an internal email that just popped up in the ongoing Samsung-Apple trial, the CEO actually showed some interest in the idea as recent as January 2011.

Updated: screenshot of the actual email thread after the break…

Read More

 

iOS boss cashes in shares, pockets $38.7 million

By Christian Zibreg on May 2, 2012

Scott Forstall, who heads the team behind the software that powers iOS devices, by far Apple’s most profitable division, has recently sold 64,151 shares worth roughly $38.7 million, a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) commission has revealed.

Cook, identified as Apple’s CEO-in-waiting in Adam Lashinsky’s Inside Apple book, still holds nearly $2 million worth of shares plus retention bonuses worth over a quarter billion dollars provided he stays with Apple and the company does emerge as the world’s first trillion dollar corporation… Read More

 
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