In a major management shake up that is claimed to encourage even more collaboration between the company's world-class hardware, software and services teams, Apple, Inc. (AAPL: Quote) late Monday announced the departures of its mobile software chief and retail head as well as additional responsibilities for four other top executives.
Apple said Scott Forstall, the company's senior vice president in charge of its iOS mobile software, will be leaving the company next year. He will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.
Forstall joined Apple in 1997 and is one of the original architects of Mac OS X and its Aqua user interface. He was responsible for several releases of the operating system, most notably Mac OS X Leopard. Prior to Apple he worked at NeXT developing core technologies.
In addition, the Cupertino, California-based company said its senior vice president in charge of retail operations, John Browett, is also leaving.
A search for a new retail head is underway and in the interim, the retail team will report directly to Tim Cook, the company said.
Browett joined Apple in April this year from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he was CEO since 2007.
Apple also said Jony Ive will provide leadership and direction for Human Interface across the company in addition to his role as the leader of industrial design.
According to the company, Eddy Cue will take on the additional responsibility of Siri and Maps, placing all of the company's online services in one group. He is currently Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services.
Craig Federighi will lead both iOS and OS X, Apple said. Craig Federighi is currently senior vice president of Mac software engineering, responsible for the development of Mac OS X.
Bob Mansfield will lead a new group, Technologies, which combines all of Apple's wireless teams across the company in one organization. He now oversee the team that has delivered dozens of breakthrough Mac products including the MacBook Air and the all-in-one iMac line.
Last week, the world's largest technology company by market value reported fourth quarter profit that increased 24% from last year, driven by continued strong sales of its iPhones and iPad multimedia devices. However, the company's quarterly earnings per share missed analysts' estimate, but its quarterly revenue managed to beat analysts' forecast. At the same time, the world's most valuable company forecast first quarter revenue and earnings well below analysts' estimates.
Last month, the company started selling the latest version of its iPhone, called iPhone 5. However, the company faced strong criticism for phasing out Google Maps in favor of its own, deeply flawed, map application.
Earlier this month, Apple unveiled a smaller version of its iPad tablet, called iPad mini, to make its presence felt in the small-tablet market as the holiday season nears. The company also unveiled an upgraded version of its iPad, called iPad 4th Generation.
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by RTT Staff Writer
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