Cook without charisma doesn't know how to motivate others, this is the result.
Cook doesn't have charisma? Have you seen the keynotes? The dude is obsessed with his job! I don't think they could've found a better guy to take the reins with Steve gone.
For that matter, he's also GOOD at his job. Apple's numbers are still going up, and under him they released a $2200 computer that's backed up for 3-4 weeks in shipping on Apple's online store. Sure they don't have many in supply yet, but seriously, it's $2200 people are EXCITED to spend.
On subject, Mansfield has done some incredible engineering at Apple and the retirement is well-deserved. I don't think there's a good or bad sign here. It seems to me that a guy who wasn't obsessed with cash retired to be with his family or for his health or, well, whatever reason he pleases, really. It's not unreasonable to retire in your 50's when your job was incredibly high-stress, as working at Apple doubtlessly is, and you have plenty of money anyway. The fact that he's aiding in the transition and not just instantly bailing implies that he wasn't kicked out or something.
As someone else has mentioned, Riccio has done work on Macs as well as iPads. Sounds to me like he's well-rounded, and I can't imagine you could get that high up in Apple without knowing what you're doing anyway.
