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Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

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Re: Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

#13

I don't understand why someone needs to be fired just because they had one or two bad products. Why would you throw away the rest of the knowledge that this person has? Demote them, put them on new projects, place them where they are stronger and have them work on another project, but outright removing someone seems like it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The reason from Jobs:

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-05-07/tech/30043798...

Makes sense to some extent at a company like apple. Maybe you get two chances but if you don't have the foresight to see how important maps are to people you might not be the best fit for the job.

Re: Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

#14

Since when has Siri been "an embarrassment for Apple?"

It's had a similar number of issues, as compared to Maps. The difference is, it didn't replace or introduce a must-have feature in iOS. As a result, it's failures were something users are able to overlook because Siri is still, essentially, a toy feature. It's not key to the phone's operation; heck it's non-obvious that it's even a feature because no where on the interface indicates that it exists (it's a hidden long-press action on the home button).

Maps, however, is crucial to most people that use an iPhone. After telephony and web functions, it's probably the next most used feature. So, any failure by it, even if it's slight, is amplified. Yes, you can use Google Maps on the web or another app (MapQuest should really be capitalizing on this opportunity to reclaim some relevance), but it's one of the default icons on the home screen and where most people are going to head first. It would be like the dialer not being able to call certain phone numbers or the text message not working with certain recipients. It's a vital function and has to work.

I would say Siri is probably more of a failure than Maps, but because of it's non-essential nature, that feature is able to get away with what Maps can't.

Re: Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

#15
post #4

> Inside Apple, tension has brewed for years over the [skeuomorphism] 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. http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670760/…

Very interesting. Of course, Steve Jobs was also in favor of skeuomorphic design, so it's not like Forstall is the sole reason I "find my friends" in stitched leather.

Re: Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

#17

Since when has Siri been "an embarrassment for Apple?"

Since it doesn't work 100 percent perfectly and I assume many users dont have the patience to get the most out it.

Personally I use it daily but I do at times need to rephrase or restate my question or request.

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