Scott Forstall Reportedly Forced Out of Apple

CausticPuppy said:

Realistically iOS 8 before we see any major changes.

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Actually I think we will see a major change in iOS 7 or iOS 9... Reason for this is, iPhone "6" is released on iOS 8 and the "5S" on iOS 7, they would want to give people a great reason to buy the new iPhone if it looks the same and only has internal updates, they would want the new iOS to make it the selling point (even though you can just update, for some people it makes a difference and they know that)... Whether you are right or I am, I just hope the new iOS will be worth the wait. I love iPhone, but who says a nice refresh to the software wont be bad.

This is most definitely a good thing for Apple. Forstall Was the chief of iOS design and iOS design was beginning to lag behind android. The small lincremental changes to iOS each year were just too slow and minor. Hell, Apple hadn't even included a toggle switch for Wi-Fi or other things that you would want to toggle on and off. One can only assume that it was Forestall who was the obstinate Individual who held iOS back. Some of the design has been pure crap. It wasn't particularly forward-looking.

It was time for change.

I look forward to iOS becoming more refined and polished without Forstall around.

Sometimes it's best to make a clean break.

Good

Good, skeuomorphism while cute is childish design. Also iOS needs a revamp to overtake Android once more... otherwise it'll be a repeat of PalmOS.

Yes!! I can't wait to see how Ive changes the UI. The skeuomorphic designs have got to go.

Aidan5806 said:

Ummmm......no one......have you seen how much passion he has when he talks about apple.

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Probably because he's (or was) as executive at Apple...

GQB said:

What hogwash.

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Your hogwash is hogwash. I like how you disagree with that statement, yet provide no details to support it. How about this: Apple Maps (even Tim Cook admitted this), overpriced iPad mini, boring iPhone 5 and iOS 6 update, and no 'true' Mac Pro updates. Course no iFanBoy would ever admit to this.

iGrip said:

Forstall was a douchebag. Thank GOD he is gone!

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Oh so you knew him?

whitesand said:

Oh brother, what jekyll and hyde group....Championing Steve Jobs and the fantastic heights he took Apple and then complaining about the skeuomorphism which Steve pushed for....If it goes get ready for a really boring interface...That's part of the appeal of apple products to a wide range of customers.

Personally I like skeuomorphisms...

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The use of a piano keyboard in GarageBand is an example of a "good" skeuomorphism, it provides a clear framework to link experience in the physical world to the computer. It's the gratuitous skeuomorphisms like the leather appearance of the calendar (that might even be cute at first viewing) that are somewhat shabby.

Hmmm...seems like we've seen this scenario before, like back in the mid '80s. Will Scott make a comeback in 2024?

I have nothing bad to say about the man, but I do loathe skeuomorphism in software. I understand the benefits of skeuomorphic design, but they seem minuscule compared to the benefits of a design that is tailored precisely to performing the task on something like a touchscreen. But apart from the utility, I actually think the aesthetics of a program like Ableton Live are far superior to something like Garage Band.


I really like Ive's design work, and so I'm happy that he'll have his hands deeper in the design of UI.

badmac78 said:

Antennagate ... Mark Papermaster fired

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Mark left apple months before the scandal and it was reportedly due to clashing with Jobs. I heard nothing definitive that he was fired.

#teamive #teamcook

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This isn't Twitter and none of those guys is on it.

iEnvy said:

Ok, I'm not going to chime in and pretend I know what the **** I'm talking about.

Can someone explain to me the ****-ups Scott Forstall had and why I'm just now realizing that 95% of MacRumors is celebrating his leave like America celebrated Osama's death?

I fail to see where all this hate is coming from.

Thanks

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It's coming from the presidential campaign ads and socialism....

/sarcasm

futbalguy said:

How much input has Ive had in iOS UI in the past? I thought most of his experience was hardware. I think they are related but clearly not the same thing. You cant just make the UI thinner and lighter or unibody. I bet it does lead to a big refresh of the design and a lot of people have been asking for it.

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I'm looking forward to Ive's contributions into UI. If they are like his hardware design they will be original, elegant, attractive, and easy to use.

Regarding Ive's new position as head of the "Human Interface" teams: That term is a bit vague and may not refer to User Interface Design. I wouldn't be surprised if it's more about the ways in which we interact with the software (placement of buttons and objects, gestures, etc) and less about the design of the interface. Point being, just because Ive holds this new position doesn't necessarily mean we'll see an immediate change in the visual direction of the software.

???

I'm confused. What happened to all the Apple fanboys (not an insult) who said nothing was wrong with iOS and it was fine the way it was and that nothing needed to change because there was no stagnation? Serious question.

I don't mind the note pad or even the calendar design. it's the same functionality just skinned.

but i can't stand the podcast UI. it's so bloated with wasted space and unnecessary swipes to get to features that should just be easily accessible.

I can see how Jobs would have liked the infamous skeuomorphism that Forstall brought to iOS. Remember that Jobs was all about making technology friendly. The little happy face of Finder isn't an example of stunning design, but it makes the dock seem less imposing. It's whimsy, and Jobs exhibited plenty of that, especially in the early Mac days.

Is it ugly? Well, it certainly clashes with a lot of the other design elements currently in OS X. I can still see bits and pieces of Aqua and Panther and Leopard. It's currently an OS with an identity crisis. I'm sure Ive will be able to straighten that out. But I hope the OS doesn't become too cold and impersonal. It needs a little whimsy, but done with consistency.

This is good news. I'm sure Forstall has a nice golden parachute so don't feel bad for him. iOS is getting stale so this is a chance for new ideas.

Still I'm becoming less impressed w/ Tim Cook daily. A lot of unforced errors so far.

reputationZed said:

Hopefully skeuomorphism gets kicked to the curb.

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Exactly! Did anyone notice at the last special engagement (iPad Mini, MBP 13" Retina announcements) that Bertrand Serlet was present with his wife in the front row and camera fequently panned to show him there?!!?!

I'm MORE interested in the core API's, structure, and core of what we know to be iOS in current form to be overhauled!

nagromme said:

And it sounds from Daring Fireball that he deserves some credit for the success of iOS 6—in which case, congratulations! Too bad things didn’t work out any longer.

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What 'success' are you talking about? Besides one or two 'magical' features, it hasn't really changed since iOS 4.

I honestly think that's why Forstall was forced out, simply because he wasn't able to take iOS to the 'next level', and they need someone who can create an OS that can keep up with Android, and dare I say it, Windows Phone OS.

Let's appreciate the work first...

Sir Forstall,

My words may not reach you and I am not good with words either,
but I wish to take this opportunity to express my humble appreciation for your truly amazing, inspirational work that you have done over at Apple in the past years.

iOS saw its ups and downs, but many of the beautiful changes came through your guidance, creativity and devotion to create the iOS that influenced and affected millions of lives in an absolutely positive way.

I will spare you and the others the chit chat about skeuomorphism and other experiences. Problems are not the end, but rather the steps necessary to do better.

Thank you and all the best to your future endeavors.

Regards, Mike Cho

iEnvy said:

Ok, I'm not going to chime in and pretend I know what the **** I'm talking about. Can someone explain to me the ****-ups Scott Forstall had and why I'm just now realizing that 95% of MacRumors is celebrating his leave like America celebrated Osama's death? I fail to see where all this hate is coming from. Thanks

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I think it's more about his personality, than his technical prowess. He is by all accounts a very talented guy and, AFAIC, with his intimate knowledge of 'everything APPLE', it is basically APPLE's loss.

iExpensive said:

I'm expecting shares to plummet.

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even more

I wonder how much has to do with seeing Microsoft out-design Apple *ducks*

Let's face it, the Metro...um modern UI is clean, unified and typographically more mature (albeit a bit lacking soul).
Meanwhile Apple has been all over the map with inconsistencies with scroll bars, and fonts.

That's what he gets for supporting Obama.

whitesand said:

Oh brother, what jekyll and hyde group....Championing Steve Jobs and the fantastic heights he took Apple and then complaining about the skeuomorphism which Steve pushed for....If it goes get ready for a really boring interface...That's part of the appeal of apple products to a wide range of customers.

Personally I like skeuomorphisms...

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Skeumorphism isn't the problem, it's the execution. It's quite useless when it gets too overly decorated for no apparent reason. Add it where it makes sense (ie piano on GarageBand, but don't go overboard with it. It really makes things look outdated rather quickly.