Former iOS Chief Scott Forstall Shares Intriguing Story of His Interview With Steve Jobs at NeXT

[Tozovac]

IOS 7 was a welcome change from IOS 6. I didn't have any issues adapting to IOS 7, but I did take a class in IOS 4/5. It was not that intoo-itive back-in the day.

I believe you but I‘m a bit surprised to hear that! First time I’d ever read someone call earlier pre-iOS7 versions of the iPad/iPhone OS as being unintuitive. There’s always a first!

I somehow you don't want to believe that Steve could have had a hand in ios 7 because it would ruin your image of him. While it's true it cannot be proved or disproved until Apple spills the beans, common sense seems to indicate that work could not start on ios 7 September of 2012.

Not correctly stated, if you’re trying to interpret my thoughts. I wouldn’t be surprised to know Steve was aware and inputted to a succensor to iOS6 that involved some major remodeling. I can’t help but question, however, now much of the eventual iOS 7 package was “fully blessed” by Steve vs. the results of Jony‘s first weekend home alone w/o parental oversight.

If your belief, is that one can pick up and iphone 5 and start using ios 6, I think it's a mistaken belief.

Fair enough, but if you believe the same % of users feel that way about post-iOS6 vs. pre-, then I think that’s a mistaken belief. I base that on the myriad of editorial/blog posts raising torches and pitchforks post-iOS7 vs. really none that I’m aware of pre-iOS7. I also base that on having not heard the “it just works” buzzwords regarding Apple software (and even hardware) as much after around 2013.

 

[I7guy]

I believe you but I‘m a bit surprised to hear that! First time I’d ever read someone call earlier pre-iOS7 versions of the iPad/iPhone OS as being unintuitive. There’s always a first!

It's not really a first... you probably aren't aware, Apple does hold classes in various subjects related to Apple products and features. If there weren't a market or need or necessity, Apple wouldn't hold these classes.

Not correctly stated, if you’re trying to interpret my thoughts. I wouldn’t be surprised to know Steve was aware and inputted to a succensor to iOS6 that involved some major remodeling. I can’t help but question, however, now much of the eventual iOS 7 package was “fully blessed” by Steve vs. the results of Jony‘s first weekend home alone w/o parental oversight.

True, we don't know. But we can clearly see the harm and pain Jony Ive caused Apple as they moved toward $1T. A lot of that is because he was allowed to make his own decisions.

Fair enough, but if you believe the same % of users feel that way about post-iOS6 vs. pre-, then I think that’s a mistaken belief. I base that on the myriad of editorial/blog posts raising torches and pitchforks post-iOS7 vs. really none that I’m aware of pre-iOS7. I also base that on having not heard the “it just works” buzzwords regarding Apple software (and even hardware) as much after around 2013.

We don't really know about the percentage of users that feel a certain way, pre/post ios 7. The ones that wax on lyrically about ios 6, it seems to me (based on a sample of posts here at MR), are the ones that cling in the past, praying for the return of another Steve Jobs. True, there are those that have criticized post ios 7, but it's like a fly buzzing around your face, there is little substance and far and few in-between compared to the number of ios 7 and later users. "It just works" has been a thing here for many years, even if that is not your opinion. I think "it just works" took a nosedive after "your holding it wrong", but eventually came back with the 5s and touch id.

 

[Tozovac]

True, we don't know. But we can clearly see the harm and pain Jony Ive caused Apple as they moved toward $1T. A lot of that is because he was allowed to make his own decisions.

More truth in that statement than you might realize. With corporations being unavoidably handcuffed to the ball rolling downhill of shareholder growth expectations, this particular customer (me) certainly wonders sometimes whether that’s one of the unspoken drivers for device non-upgradeability, expensive cables/dongles, the never-ending Apple tax, etc.

Mo‘ money mo’ problems.

Sure I’m a former AAPL stock owner and maybe I’m in the minority but I hate when $money is touted as “success” in the face of certain product disappointments.

 

[I7guy]

More truth in that statement than you might realize. With corporations being unavoidably handcuffed to the ball rolling downhill of shareholder growth expectations, this particular customer (me) certainly wonders sometimes whether that’s one of the unspoken drivers for device non-upgradeability, expensive cables/dongles, the never-ending Apple tax, etc.

Mo‘ money mo’ problems.

Sure I’m a former AAPL stock owner and maybe I’m in the minority but I hate when $money is touted as “success” in the face of certain product disappointments.

I'm a former AAPL stock holder back into the game. Money is the only objective measure of success. Not some critique that comes across the internet. Not the number of dongles, of which I have too many for my windows boxes. Not by the meme of the Apple tax, of which people are free to take their business elsewhere. Just $money.

 

[Detnator]

Tim’s being a hypocrite here as he played politics! He’s NOT been honest and has NOT admitted mistakes in any way!
- 2013 Mac Pro barely spec bump sold for 6yrs with a straight face. In an aside interview (written), and while talking about engineering development for its replacement did anyone at Apple say anything of wrong choices (not wrong doing). Cook said nothing!
- 2014 Mac Mini ... lingered for 5yrs before any upgrade/spec bumps or anything. It continued to be sold at retail price and Apple should be ashamed!! No admitting wrong there!!
- macOS Mavericks shipped with no password for root!! How on earth did it’s leader miss that?! That’s like your most important aspect of your job as head of Apple or head of MacOS!! No apologies made for that glaring mistake!!
- battery and iOS speed throttling done on purpose! We got fluff excuses no apologies there! Where was a honesty there?! They’ve finally paid for that and it was mediocre to be honest.
- many reports of users with Mac hardware issues being pushed to buy a new Mac after telling users parts are too expensive for repair. This leading to Right to Repair legislation in several states. The cost of Logic boards is well over priced! I assure you no honesty in that practice!

if Tim felt collaboration was an issue, maybe a forced vacation could’ve been offered to those showing issues amongst the team, maybe a team putting for a week (bowling, soccer, BBall, swimming or surfing, something). Leaders lead by example and it’s their job to know how their top team members tick!

Wow. It's so good to hear someone who knows how to lead the largest company in the world better than the current leader who helped get it there. You really should go have a talk to Apple's board of directors and tell them your vision and how much better a job than Tim you could do. I have no doubt they'd hire you in a heartbeat.

PS. Your anecdotes are grossly misrepresented.

 

[Tozovac]

I'm a former AAPL stock holder back into the game. Money is the only objective measure of success. Not some critique that comes across the internet. Not the number of dongles, of which I have too many for my windows boxes. Not by the meme of the Apple tax, of which people are free to take their business elsewhere. Just $money.

Fair enough if that’s your opinion. But good $money depends on good products, not the other way around. As a small business owner, focusing on the $money first and products second or lower is no recipe for sustained long term success and/or growth (and is no recipe for keeping repeat customer$ bringing in that $money, which are easier to keep than it is to get new customers).

 

[I7guy]

Fair enough if that’s your opinion. But good $money depends on good products, not the other way around. As a small business owner, focusing on the $money first and products second or lower is no recipe for sustained long term success and/or growth (and is no recipe for keeping repeat customer$ bringing in that $money, which are easier to keep than it is to get new customers).

I agree 100%, good $money depends on good products. As far as long term sustained growth, if we pick 2011 as the starting point, most would be in agreement that since 2011, AAPL has long term growth. As far as getting new customer$ the cache, brand image, high quality of products of AAPL brings many into the fold as Apple customers. Some of course leave, and there is always churn....

 

[DeepIn2U]

Wow. It's so good to hear someone who knows how to lead the largest company in the world better than the current leader who helped get it there. You really should go have a talk to Apple's board of directors and tell them your vision and how much better a job than Tim you could do. I have no doubt they'd hire you in a heartbeat.

PS. Your anecdotes are grossly misrepresented.

Actually my points above are facts. You've taken the cynical route to discredit me, yet you've not stated anything about the facts ... just your opinion of my thoughts to illicit comedy emoji's yet still didn't get any as of yet. That's fine you don't agree, but at least put substances to backup your statement, if not fine your opinion can stand. I still believe Cook is being hypocritical about the statement he's claiming as he didn't follow it himself. It's whatever now.

 

[ThomasJL]

He NEEDS to come back and lead iOS design and functionality. I live for the day when iOS 6 look is restored.

Amen to that!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Amen to that!

He can’t lead anything. He hasn’t been a tech leader since he left Apple (probably couldn’t find work because he was well known to be hard to work with). I’d at LEAST think folks would want someone that has done something, ANYTHING in tech in the last few years.

 

[ThomasJL]

He can’t lead anything. He hasn’t been a tech leader since he left Apple (probably couldn’t find work because he was well known to be hard to work with). I’d at LEAST think folks would want someone that has done something, ANYTHING in tech in the last few years.

Really? Is that why Apple is reintroducing skeuomorphism elements (via neumorphism) into the the still mostly flat design macOS?

Scott Forstall was ahead of his time, which is why his iOS 6 skeuomorphic design is still ahead of both flat design and neumorphism.

It’s Tim Cook who “can’t lead anything.” What Tim Cook does is make Apple products subpar in order to maximize profits and please shareholders.

 

[tranceking26]

That's quite the story! Not sure what to make of the fish part...

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Really? Is that why Apple is reintroducing skeuomorphism elements (via neumorphism) into the the still mostly flat design macOS?

Scott Forstall was ahead of his time, which is why his iOS 6 skeuomorphic design is still ahead of both flat design and neumorphism.

It’s Tim Cook who “can’t lead anything.” What Tim Cook does is make Apple products subpar in order to maximize profits and please shareholders.

Yes, Really. There are few leaders that have left Apple and have NOT obtained high paying leadership gigs at other tech companies. And what Scott does is produce plays, which is still far less than even “making Apple products subpar”.

 

[ThomasJL]

Yes, Really. There are few leaders that have left Apple and have NOT obtained high paying leadership gigs at other tech companies. And what Scott does is produce plays, which is still far less than even “making Apple products subpar”.

Since when does having a position of leadership automatically equal good and competent? Was Sam Bankman-Fried good and competent because he was the leader of FTX?

As for Scott Forstall producing plays after being fired from Apple, at least it shows he cares about culture. His skeuomorphic designs were references to culture—and that’s why people who have limited or no experience with smartphones, such as many elderly people, could figure out how to use a skeuomorphic interface like iOS 6 much faster and easier than a flat design interface like iOS 7. Tim Cook doesn’t care about things like culture because he is just concerned about maximizing profits.

 

[Tozovac]

He can’t lead anything. He hasn’t been a tech leader since he left Apple (probably couldn’t find work because he was well known to be hard to work with). I’d at LEAST think folks would want someone that has done something, ANYTHING in tech in the last few years.

Have you spoken with him directly and confirmed that? I know many leaders who for any number of reasons don't "step up" after past high-profile position. Perhaps he was burnt out in a sense and had enough F me money (look up Adam Carolla for what F me money means) to do whatever he wanted.

Not everyone is driven to need to lead/create something to give their life meaning (Jony Ive, cough cough, IMHO).

 

[Unregistered 4U]

As for Scott Forstall producing plays after being fired from Apple, at least it shows he cares about culture.

Right, and not technology.

Tim Cook doesn’t care about things like culture because he is just concerned about maximizing profits.

And, of CRITICAL importance, he DOES care about technology. At least enough to take and maintain a job at a technology company.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Have you spoken with him directly and confirmed that? I know many leaders who for any number of reasons don't "step up" after past high-profile position. Perhaps he was burnt out in a sense and had enough F me money (look up Adam Carolla for what F me money means) to do whatever he wanted.

Not everyone is driven to need to lead/create something to give their life meaning (Jony Ive, cough cough, IMHO).

Exactly. Which shows how wrong people are when they compare him to Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs as a leader went on to create and lead another company which then ended up providing the OS for an international computer company. He was even able to get some Apple employees to leave and join him.

Scott didn’t have that fire, didn’t have that drive, didn’t have any interest in being in technology. It can be said that, for all the faults of Tim Cook, he IS, at least, interested enough in technology to be the CEO of a technology company. Scott, not so much.

 

[NEPOBABY]

Why does this look like a promo flyer for a cage fight?