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Big shake-up at Apple

Source: cntv

Apple CEO apologizes for maps debacle

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook on September 28 apologized for the maps glitch in the company's latest iOS 6 mobile operating system, recommending users to use maps alternatives from Apple's competitors.

Browett  &  Forstall

Scott Forstall—senior vice president of iPhone Software at Apple Responsibility: delivering the software at the heart of Apple’s revolutionary iPhone including the user interface, applications, frameworks and the operating system. Achievements: 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.

John Browett—senior vice president of retail Responsibility: oversees Apple's retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world. Achievements: John joined Apple in April 2012 from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he was CEO since 2007. Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group.

Apple’s announcement

Apple announced executive management changes that will encourage even more collaboration between the Company’s world-class hardware, software and services teams on October 31. As part of these changes, Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi will add more responsibilities to their roles. Apple also announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.

Additionally, John Browett is leaving Apple. A search for a new head of Retail is underway and in the interim, the Retail team will report directly to Tim Cook.

Source: apple.com

Possible    Reasons

Scott Forstall

Scott was abrasive.

He rubbed members of the team the wrong way.

He owned two fairly big products that got a lot of criticism in the last two years – Maps and Siri.

He had a lot of strengths but it was seen as better for the company in the long-term to part ways now.

Source: forbes.com

View       Points

Huang Jixin, founder of zhihu.com

Apple’s change in management reveals two problems: one is the integration of Internet, hardware and mobile Internet, while the other is whether retailers should focus on user experience or product sales. It seems Apple is lacking in direction. Moreover, this change may also reflect a disagreement among executives. Perhaps the last straw was their underperforming map service. 

Wang Danqing, partner of Adfaith Consulting Firm

This management change may be a good thing for Apple under the circumstances, since the latest iOS is not standing up to Google’s Android. Their map service has become a joke in the industry, and Siri is not performing as expected. Changing executives may indicate to the public that improvements in software are on the table while proving that the company listens to feedback and is willing to keep innovating.

Wu Bofan, editor-in-chief of 21st Century Business Review

I don’t think the iPhone5 foreshadows Apple’s decline. Instead, the company is pushing for a new industry model. As it stands now, competition among Internet terminals has come down to operating systems, while manufacturers are focusing on tablet computers, PCs and TVs. With mobile phones as the centerpiece, these four devices compose our daily digital habitat, which is precisely what manufacturers are promoting.
 
Therefore, although the iPhone5 has disappointed consumers, it does not mean Apple is no longer competitive. Perhaps the reason why other manufacturers cannot catch up with Apple is because they are only focusing on mobile phones and ignore other devices.

Duan Binqun, Guangzhou Daily

A few years ago, who would have foreseen Nokia’s fall from the top? Now Apple is no longer leading the industry due to lack of innovation. If Apple still wants to remain arrogant and maintain its high prices of after-sale services without developing new phones, it will be left behind in the market and by users.

Source: Agencies

Follower  & Competitors

Follower:

Xiaomi falls flat in pursuit of Apple Xiaomi Technology, a prominent Chinese smartphone maker, has made no secret of its desire to become China's answer to Apple. In pursuit of this goal, Xiaomi has mimicked much of Apple's marketing strategy in an effort to develop a strong fan base among the country's young trendsetters. Jobs' rise presents lessons, warnings for Xiaomi exec Chinese start-up Xiaomi, which has soared to fame on the back of its popular low-cost, high-performance smartphones, has titillated Chinese consumers once again with rumors that it is testing a new Internet TV product. The company owes its success as much to its savvy marketing campaigns as to its actual products, and clearly this latest gossip is part of a buzz-making apparatus that has quickly become the specialty of its co-founder Lei Jun.

Competitors

Google:

LG Electronics launches new Nexus smartphone with Google

South Korean handset maker LG Electronics launched on Monday its new Nexus smartphone in collaboration with Google, enhancing its product mix amid fiercer competition in the global mobile industry.

The Nexus 4, the newest smartphone in the Nexus lineup, was powered by 4.2 Jelly Bean, the latest version of Google's Android operating system (OS), according to an e-mailed statement.

Google introduces new Nexus phone, tablet

Google announced its much-anticipated Nexus 4 smartphone, Nexus 10 tablet and an update to its Android mobile operating system on October 29.

Microsoft:

Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 8

Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8, the new version of its smartphone operating system, representing the software giant's latest move to challenge the market leaders of Apple and Google on October 29.

Microsoft unveils Windows 8, Surface tablet in Australia

Microsoft on October 26 officially unveiled its first tablet Surface and the latest version of Windows operating system, Windows 8, in Sydney, after its global launch overnight, local media reported.

Samsung:

Samsung fires latest salvo at Apple

Samsung Electronics, the world's top smartphone vendor by shipment, unveiled a new flagship model for the Chinese mainland market on October 16, going head-to-head with Apple Inc in the world's largest marketplace for smartphones.

New       Products

Apple goes mini Apple finally took the wraps off the iPad mini, its first ever pocket-sized tablet device on October 23, foraying into an arena that was once snubbed by the tech giant's visionary steerer Steve Jobs as destined to be "dead on arrival" but has since gained popularity among consumers.
Apple unveils iPhone 5 Apple on Wednesday unveiled iPhone 5, its latest generation of smartphone that features bigger display and support for faster LTE wireless network, at a media event in San Francisco.

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