Bob Mansfield's Return to Apple Reportedly Influenced by Scott Forstall's Departure

[MacRumors]

AllThingsD offers a look at the back-and-forth situation with Apple executive Bob Mansfield, who announced his retirement as hardware chief in late June only to rescind the move two months later in order to work on special projects under CEO Tim Cook. With this week's management changes, Mansfield is now heading up a new "Technologies" division and has committed to remaining at the company for at least two more years.

AllThingsD notes that Mansfield was indeed serious about retiring earlier this year and was enticed to stay on in an advisory capacity to ease the transition. But his all-in commitment to head the new Technologies division was reportedly influenced in no small part by the impending departure of iOS chief Scott Forstall.

As one source close to the company told AllThingsD, "The timing of Bob's return is not coincidental."

To begin, Mansfield was not a fan of Forstall's confrontational management style, and sources said he generally tried to avoid the iOS exec. Indeed, Bloomberg last year reported that Mansfield would meet with Forstall only if Cook was present to mediate. I've heard many similar stories.

"It wasn't a him-or-me situation," one source said of Mansfield's return and Forstall's ouster. "But, put it this way, I think Bob was much more willing to commit to two more years once he knew Scott was on his way out."

Mansfield is just one of several senior Apple executives taking on new roles in the restructuring, with design guru Jony Ive adding software design to his existing hardware design responsibilities, Eddy Cue picking up Siri and Maps, and Craig Federighi adding iOS to his OS X responsibilities.

Article Link: Bob Mansfield's Return to Apple Reportedly Influenced by Scott Forstall's Departure

[koolmagicguy]

Hey MacRumors,

Have you considered making an Apple drama forum?

Thanks.

[MattG]

Originally Posted by koolmagicguy

Hey MacRumors,

Have you considered making an Apple drama forum?

Thanks.

I would totally read that.

Wow, who knew Forstall was so disliked? I'm actually looking forward to seeing what happens with Apple's products over the next 2-3 years, now that there seems to be less divisiveness in the company.

Hopefully at the very least, consistency in UI between the various apps and parts of iOS. That stitched-leather thing...*shudder*

[KPOM]

I'm not surprised by this at all. It seems that Tim Cook decided that Jony Ive + Bob Mansfield were more valuable to the company than Scott Forstall. The whole "un-retirement" thing seemed orchestrated.

On top of that, it's worth pointing out that Mansfield signed an apology letter over the EPEAT matter. Perhaps Tim Cook's theme is that since none of the executives left is Steve Jobs, he won't tolerate Steve Jobs-like egos.

[Eriden]

Originally Posted by KPOM

Perhaps Tim Cook's theme is that since none of the executives left is Steve Jobs, he won't tolerate Steve Jobs-like egos.

^ This

Considering that Forstall was once referred to as mini-Steve, the rumors surrounding this shakeup do seem to suggest that with Steve gone, Tim Cook won't put up with any one person thinking he is more important than the company or the products.

[JGowan]

Originally Posted by KPOM

On top of that, it's worth pointing out that Mansfield signed an apology letter over the EPEAT matter. Perhaps Tim Cook's theme is that since none of the executives left is Steve Jobs, he won't tolerate Steve Jobs-like egos.

Steve was not above public apologies. I've seen several. Shaddap.

[BornAgainMac]

Working lots of hours and high stress contributes to many heated arguments there. I can understand someone wanting to just retire from it. That Bob guy seems like a cool person.

[kralnor]

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

Working lots of hours and high stress contributes to many heated arguments there. I can understand someone wanting to just retire from it. That Bob guy seems like a cool person.

Also the fact that any of them would never have to work again if they didn't want to. Including ol' scooter.

[sseaton1971]

Originally Posted by koolmagicguy

Hey MacRumors,

Have you considered making an Apple drama forum?

Thanks.

There used to be a Web site many years ago called "As the Apple Turns", obviously in reference to the soap opera "As the World Turns". It was very funny, and I miss it. I would love to see someone resurrect it!

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by sseaton1971

There used to be a Web site many years ago called "As the Apple Turns", obviously in reference to the soap opera "As the World Turns". It was very funny, and I miss it. I would love to see someone resurrect it!

I miss Jack too! Got to meet him at a couple Apple store openings about 11 years ago. After his daughter was born he had no time or desire to keep AtAT running.

----------

Originally Posted by Truffy

Like others, I didn' realise that Forstall was so disliked, but aggressive management style is always going to put peoople on edge, and is often a sign of someone who's deeply insecure. Here's to a more cohesive, less devisive, executive leadership at Apple!

Forstall wasn't called, "Apple's chief A$$hole" for nothing.

[iGrip]

Originally Posted by koolmagicguy

Hey MacRumors,

Have you considered making an Apple drama forum?

Thanks.

Go to AppleInsider. That is what they specialize in. Rabid Fanbois getting their panites in a twist about the latest outrage, and stuff like that.

When there is a hard news story about Apple, almost nobody comments. But when Microsoft or the British Court or Samsung or any of the enemies du jour are mentioned, they howl at the moon about the indignities and injustices.

It is the most entertaining display of circle-jerking righteous indignation available on the internet. They take this sheet PERSONALLY.

[ChrisA]

I will watch for two things

1) better innovation with IOS. IOS really needs to make another leap forward. It needs to do something substantial the others can't

2) See what company Forstall joins or starts and what they do. Will he take the easy way and jump to Samsung or will he do what Steve Jobs did after he was booted out of Apple. Steve founded both Next and Pixar while away from Apple.

[andrewzz]

Originally Posted by koolmagicguy

Hey MacRumors,

Have you considered making an Apple drama forum?

Thanks.

"Tonight on The Returned, the Promoted and the Ousted.... Will Bob embrace his new responsibilities with boundless enthusiasm? Will Scott regroup and strike back at Apple with a lawsuit? Is Eddy the new CEO in-waiting? Will Ive's design acumen be expanded to software design? Find out...next"

[Chaszmyr]

Wow, who knew Forstall was so disliked? I'm actually looking forward to seeing what happens with Apple's products over the next 2-3 years, now that there seems to be less divisiveness in the company.

[KPOM]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

Wow, who knew Forstall was so disliked? I'm actually looking forward to seeing what happens with Apple's products over the next 2-3 years, now that there seems to be less divisiveness in the company.

According to the NY Times article, there could be some UI changes coming to iOS 7.

[Akuratyde]

Originally Posted by KPOM

According to the NY Times article, there could be some UI changes coming to iOS 7.

I would certainly hope so. iOS badly needs a refresh, I hope they create a more unified look across all applications.

[kralnor]

Originally Posted by Akuratyde

I would certainly hope so. iOS badly needs a refresh, I hope they create a more unified look across all applications.

Much less concerned with the look than just having everything work consistently. I don't care about reel-to-reel tape graphics as long as the podcast app works better than (or at least equal to) 9 free alternatives that kids designed to in their free time.

[Akuratyde]

Originally Posted by kralnor

Much less concerned with the look than just having everything work consistently. I don't care about reel-to-reel tape graphics as long as the podcast app works better than (or at least equal to) 9 free alternatives that kids designed to in their free time.

Having a unified look for a user interface does help things work consistently. It's not just about aesthetics, it's about letting the user know what to expect and how things operate.

[Westside guy]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

Wow, who knew Forstall was so disliked? I'm actually looking forward to seeing what happens with Apple's products over the next 2-3 years, now that there seems to be less divisiveness in the company.

Well, don't forget that the timing of all these stories coming out may not be completely coincidental either...

The bus was coming down the road, and they needed Forstall to be under it.

[Rogifan]

I wonder how many people under him were super loyal and might decide to leave. Or tell Ive and Federighi to *^#! off. I'm most curious about Greg Christie, Imran Chaudhri, Bas Ording, Marcel Van Os and Freddy Anzures as they're the ones listed with him most often on patents. Anyone here know much about these guys?

[GoCubsGo]

I didn't see this coming but I think it could be a positive change.

[nfl46]

It's clear now that Scott was only kept because Steve liked him. Thank Goodness Steve highly recommended Tim and not Scott.

[MacFather]

Steve would have never fired Scott.

[Stella]

Originally Posted by MacFather

Steve would have never fired Scott.

Image

No, probably not. But that's kind of irrelevant, SJ is no longer CEO.

Judging by the rumours, Forstall offered very little to Apple, apart from negativity. No company needs employees like that.

[krravi]

Originally Posted by Stella

No, probably not. But that's kind of irrelevant, SJ is no longer CEO.

Judging by the rumours, Forstall offered very little to Apple, apart from negativity. No company needs employees like that.

Forstall offered very little to Apple? You were the HR person at Apple when all this happened?