Angela Ahrendts Departing Apple in April, Deirdre O'Brien to Oversee Retail and People

[LordVic]

"Prior to that HR role, O'Brien had been senior vice president of worldwide sales and operations. Apple has a lot of vice presidents, though, and when she spoke to the East Bay Times in early 2016, she was a vice president working on the supply chain operations team."

There is more information about her background in this AI article but I see very little (actually, nothing) there about retail.

The only thing this really spells to me is that Apple's slowly been replacing top brass with Accountants and Sales people to run the show and less and less product people.

I'll leave that to the MR minds on whether or not thats a good thing or not for the products themselves.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

The only thing this really spells to me is that Apple's slowly been replacing top brass with Accountants and Sales people to run the show and less and less product people.

I'll leave that to the MR minds on whether or not thats a good thing or not for the products themselves.

Well, the supply chains will really shine.

 

[Tozovac]

Speaking of Angela’s “improved” online ordering process work, who deserves the blame for “improving” the refurbished store the same way the Apple user community was “improved” by replacing an efficient and list-oriented arrangement with a space-wasting details-light arrangement that makes it much more cumbersome to compare offerings? No longer on one screenview can you quickly and easily compare things like RAM, storage, model year, etc., across an item without first clicking on each and taking notes or playing the memory game?? This is an “improvement” from what was prior??

Was this aspect of changing the retail experience possibly under her purvey? Maybe she herself didn’t command the specific changes but surely someone had to be responsible for enacting changes like this according to some bigger picture vision.

Flunking badly certain basics like this that impact potential costumers at the very front end mask any possible loftier downstream improvements, very similar to requiring a shopping spree for things like dongles, adapters, cables, port hubs, and accessory organizing bag/case immediately after plunking down $1,000+ just to be able to use your new MBA/MB/MBP fully and conveniently.

Oh today’s Apple, so much more courageous than 5 years ago but so much missing of the boat. Continually trying to serve only steak and lobster when most of us just need a really good hamburger or sandwich the majority of the time.

 

[I7guy]

Speaking of Angela’s “improved” online ordering process work, who deserves the blame for “improving” the refurbished store the same way the Apple user community was “improved” by replacing an efficient and list-oriented arrangement with a space-wasting details-light arrangement that makes it much more cumbersome to compare offerings? No longer on one screenview can you quickly and easily compare things like RAM, storage, model year, etc., across an item without first clicking on each and taking notes or playing the memory game?? This is an “improvement” from what was prior??

Was this aspect of changing the retail experience possibly under her purvey? Maybe she herself didn’t command the specific changes but surely someone had to be responsible for enacting changes like this according to some bigger picture vision.

View attachment 821614

Flunking badly certain basics like this that impact potential costumers at the very front end mask any possible loftier downstream improvements, very similar to requiring a shopping spree for things like dongles, adapters, cables, port hubs, and accessory organizing bag/case immediately after plunking down $1,000+ just to be able to use your new MBA/MB/MBP fully and conveniently.

Oh today’s Apple, so much more courageous than 5 years ago but so much missing of the boat. Continually trying to serve only steak and lobster when most of us just need a really good hamburger or sandwich the majority of the time.

I think the website looks rather nice. Glad not to have everything abutting together.

I personally think the amount of criticism thrown at these pages and apple is overstated. But to each their own.

 

[Tozovac]

I think the website looks rather nice. Glad not to have everything abutting together.

I personally think the amount of criticism thrown at these pages and apple is overstated. But to each their own.

“Looks” nice? What about function instead of just form?

Speaking of my example in particular, with the much reduced details that previously allowed for quick comparisons of refurb offerings, you find the current method to be an improvement?

Without clicking on each above, what are the differences in the top 2 offerings between each other? Same question for the bottom two? Imagine you’re on a bus standing up using your iPhone one handed and can’t take notes to compare numerous offerings. Since most of the excuses given for space-wasting webpage designs like this is focusing on the mobile experience, how is this a useful layout for convenient shopping.

Even when forcing to load the desktop site into my phone: what are the differences between these 4? The differences used to be shown in a list format with a layout and information density much more conducive to easily achieving the task at hand.

 

[I7guy]

“Looks” nice? What about function instead of just form?

Seems like that part of the site delivers what is promised. Information on refurbished models. You don't like you have to make a click to see the specs?

Speaking of my example in particular, with the much reduced details that previously allowed for quick comparisons of refurb offerings, you find the current method to be an improvement?

I guess it depends on your benchmark and point of view.

Without clicking on each above, what are the differences in the top 2 offerings between each other? Same question for the bottom two? Imagine you’re on a bus standing up using your iPhone one handed and can’t take notes to compare numerous offerings. Since most of the excuses given for space-wasting webpage designs like this is focusing on the mobile experience, how is this a useful layout for convenient shopping.

Even when forcing to load the desktop site into my phone: what are the differences between these 4? The differences used to be shown in a list format with a layout and information density much more conducive to easily achieving the task at hand.
...

Yeah, you have to click through. I don't know how anyone can use anything later than a 5s with one hand and take notes, especially the max. But on my desktop this works just fine. There may be justifiable reasons for designing the website like this. However, you can always send some feedback to Apple.

 

[Tozovac]

First, and most importantly - can anyone offer whether Angela’s team had a role in things like the refurbished store layout?

Seems like that part of the site delivers what is promised. Information on refurbished models. You don't like you have to make a click to see the specs?

Oh the acceptance and excuse making. If only I were so forgiving. You don’t mind the hunt and peck method for drilling down for certain key specs important to you? What would you think of books in libraries or Barnes&Noble stores be offered face-up on shelves with the original cover artwork intact for general sorting but with title & Dewey decimal # only on the spines so you’d have to “click” lift and place each one while taking notes to keep track? Why not a more “it just works” arrangement like before instead of change for sake of change regardless of functionality decrease that’s obvious to many except the Genius designers at Apple.

I guess it depends on your benchmark and point of view.

Yeah, you have to click through. I don't know how anyone can use anything later than a 5s with one hand and take notes, especially the max. But on my desktop this works just fine. There may be justifiable reasons for designing the website like this.

Sites like Ebay and Amazon could similarly eliminate the Sorting and Filtering tools, right? I mean, we can all just take notes! And benefit from less clutter and distraction.

Real question. Can you attempt to guess at one valid reason for the change? A serious question. I’d love to hear. Even if it’s just you. It’s easy for me to point out functional degradations, even if it’s just me. Similarly - Still waiting for anyone to offer a guess at why things like a white background for photos app (until you make the extra move to click on it to make it black) instead of black was better, or why the borderless/contextual-less white-out calendar and contacts ios7-12 apps were improvements.

However, you can always send some feedback to Apple.

Ha. Great idea. Because Apple has such the rep for listening to what customers want.

 

[I7guy]

First, and most importantly - can anyone offer whether Angela’s team had a role in things like the refurbished store layout?



Oh the acceptance and excuse making. If only I were so forgiving. You don’t mind the hunt and peck method for drilling down for certain key specs important to you? What would you think of books in libraries or Barnes&Noble stores be offered face-up on shelves with the original cover artwork intact for general sorting but with title & Dewey decimal # only on the spines so you’d have to “click” lift and place each one while taking notes timers track? It’s generally the same thing - change for change regardless of functionality decrease that’s obvious to many except the Genius designers at Apple.



Sites like Ebay and Amazon could similarly eliminate the Sorting and Filtering tools, right? I mean, we can all just take notes! And benefit from less clutter and distraction.

Real question. Can you attempt to guess at one valid reason for the change? A serious question. I’d love to hear. Even if it’s just you. It’s easy for me to point out functional degradations, even if it’s just me. Similarly - Still waiting for anyone to offer a guess at why things like a white background for photos app (until you make the extra move to click on it to make it black) instead of black was better, or why the borderless/contectual-less white-out calendar and contacts ios7-12 apps were improvements.



Ha. Great idea. Because Apple has such the rep for listening to what customers want.

Don’t like the site? Take it up with Apple.

As far as eBay, do you think the site design is so great it should be used as a model for Apple? To each their own I suppose and I’m not saying the “refurbished” site is perfect, but it’s not that bad either.

As far as iOS 7 and later the design is way more modern than the dated skeuomorphic look of iOS 6. Again, Apple has a feedback button for such purposes.

 

[Tozovac]

Don’t like the site? Take it up with Apple.

As far as eBay, do you think the site design is so great it should be used as a model for Apple? To each their own I suppose and I’m not saying the “refurbished” site is perfect, but it’s not that bad either.

As far as iOS 7 and later the design is way more modern than the dated skeuomorphic look of iOS 6. Again, Apple has a feedback button for such purposes.

1) I had asked whether anyone knows whether Angela had anything to do with these “improvements.”

2) Still waving the skeuomorphic flag for distraction when a discussion on basic uIX principles was intended? Ok.

Here’s my skeumorohic representation of Apple’s “feedback button.”

Anyone else: know whether Angela’s purvey included the refurbished store?

 

[developer13245]

The App Store has effectively commoditised apps. If one developer leaves, there are 10 waiting to take his place. I don't think you understand who holds the power in this relationship. It's certainly not the developers.

I completely understand that Apple holds ALL the power, and it does so with a level of arrogance that is bewildering. But that is the problem. If you want to create a successful iOS app you must secure big $$bucks$$ from a "pedigreed" VC firm.

Developers do not need another to leave to "take their place". Developers can enter by the boat loads, but only a very few (as described above) will succeed, and only on Apple's myopic terms.

Everyone, especially (and conveniently) Apple, has forgotten that iOS owes it success to the crazy ideas generated in the "early days" by SMALL indie developers who didn't need to get their ideas 'approved' by a gauntlet of pin headed middle management or arrogant VC firms. THIS was the "tip of the spear" that enabled iOS to soar. Now Apple has "blunted" that spear by arrogance in believing they are that 'tip', and not just the enablers of that support organic innovation.

Without this "organic innovation" iOS devices just devolved into another "on par with the crowd", "commodity" brand. Apple cannot survive as a commodity supplier.
[doublepost=1550814533][/doublepost]

What countless mistakes? What strategy from the top? Seems like all this post is is some straw-man. And how exactly is apple paying the price?

See above.

 

[I7guy]

I completely understand that Apple holds ALL the power, and it does so with a level of arrogance that is bewildering. But that is the problem. If you want to create a successful iOS app you must secure big $$bucks$$ from a "pedigreed" VC firm.

Developers do not need another to leave to "take their place". Developers can enter by the boat loads, but only a very few (as described above) will succeed, and only on Apple's myopic terms.

Everyone, especially (and conveniently) Apple, has forgotten that iOS owes it success to the crazy ideas generated in the "early days" by SMALL indie developers who didn't need to get their ideas 'approved' by a gauntlet of pin headed middle management or arrogant VC firms. THIS was the "tip of the spear" that enabled iOS to soar. Now Apple has "blunted" that spear by arrogance in believing they are that 'tip', and not just the enablers of that support organic innovation.

Without this "organic innovation" iOS devices just devolved into another "on par with the crowd", "commodity" brand. Apple cannot survive as a commodity supplier.
[doublepost=1550814533][/doublepost]

See above.

Those aren’t mistakes, they are necessary steps to take as Apple grew. One small independent developer can still disrupt a market segment.

 

[developer13245]

Those aren’t mistakes, they are necessary steps to take as Apple grew. One small independent developer can still disrupt a market segment.

Name one "small independent" that has disrupted a market segment.

 

[I7guy]

Name one "small independent" that has disrupted a market segment.

Candy crush developer.

 

[developer13245]

Candy crush developer.

Wrong. Candy Crush was developed by King.com Limited, which was a $60 million per year web gaming company by 2009.

 

[I7guy]

Wrong. Candy Crush was developed by King.com Limited, which was a $60 million per year web gaming company by 2009.

And the point is anyone can do the same thing, nobody has any extra apis based on their stature or company size. Linux anyone?

 

[developer13245]

And the point is anyone can do the same thing, nobody has any extra apis based on their stature or company size. Linux anyone?

You clearly do not know what you are talking about. I've worked at both very small and very large companies that develop iOS apps, and also as a small independent. Apple treats smaller developers unfairly, and I have witnessed this.

At the large company we were able to get an app update approved in 30 minutes by making one phone call to a person at Apple WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE. The App also was using a non-public API so it was in direct violation of the App Store guidelines.

Apple is ignorant to believe developers don't see this. People move around and share stories.

 

[I7guy]

You clearly do not know what you are talking about. I've worked at both very small and very large companies that develop iOS apps, and also as a small independent. Apple treats smaller developers unfairly, and I have witnessed this.

At the large company we were able to get an app update approved in 30 minutes by making one phone call to a person at Apple WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE. The App also was using a non-public API so it was in direct violation of the App Store guidelines.

Apple is ignorant to believe developers don't see this. People move around and share stories.

Are changing the goalposts, throwing insults and making assumptions all simultaneously?

First discuss app development then app approval. Which one is it?

Apps do use non-public apis, there have been reported cases of this. However if Apple is turning a blind eye by allowing some apps to pass violating guidelines while other apps fail, that has to stop.

 

[tex210]

Personally have always been treated well at local Apple North Star. B.C. & A.D. Ahrendts.