Mac Automation Product Manager Sal Soghoian Leaves Apple After Position Eliminated

[MacRumors]

Apple has eliminated the Product Manager of Automated Technologies role, ending Sal Soghoian's employment with the company. Soghoian revealed the news at the MacTech Conference in Los Angeles, according to Mac Observer. He also posted about the news on his website, which is dedicated to the user automation community.

Q. I hear you no longer work for Apple; is that true?

A. Correct. I joined Apple in January of 1997, almost twenty years ago, because of my profound belief that "the power of the computer should reside in the hands of the one using it." That credo remains my truth to this day. Recently, I was informed that my position as Product Manager of Automation Technologies was eliminated for business reasons. Consequently, I am no longer employed by Apple Inc. But, I still believe my credo to be as true today as ever.

Soghoian was responsible for advancing a number of automation technologies for Apple, including UNIX CLI, Apple Events, JavaScript, AppleScript, Automator, Apple Configurator, scripting support for Photos, iWork, Finder, Mail and other Apple programs as well as Master for iTunes tools and Dictation Commands.

Since Apple eliminated the position, it's unclear what the move means for the future of automation technologies in macOS. Soghoian says the best thing to do for those concerned is to direct any questions or concerns to Apple.

If user automation technologies are important to you, then now is the time for all good men and women to reach out, speak up and ask questions. The macOS user automation technologies include: UNIX CLI (shell, python, ruby, perl), System Services, Apple Events (JavaScript, AppleScript, AppleScriptObj-C, Scripting Bridge), Automator, Apple Configurator (AppleScript, Automator), and Application scripting support in Photos, iWork, Finder, Mail, and other Apple applications.

Starting on December 1, Soghoian says he will begin considering opportunities and is available for consulting for user automation services. He also says he's optimistic about the future of user automation. "I've seen the benefits and power of individuals being able to automate critical and repetitive tasks," he wrote on his website. "Solution apps are great, emojis are fun, but there's nothing like really great automation tools."

Photo Credit: Andy Ihnatko

Correction: Original version of this story said that the MacTech Conference took place in San Francisco. It did not, it took place in Los Angeles.

Article Link: Mac Automation Product Manager Sal Soghoian Leaves Apple After Position Eliminated

 

[Rob_2811]

Tim Cook loves the Mac and he's very committed to it.

 

[hlevolve]

I agree with the guy. Love automating repetitive stuff to do jobs faster! Wonder what Apple is doing?

 

[ip67]

This guy would make a great pirate!

 

[farewelwilliams]

Samsung hire in 3...2...1...

 

[Cwolk]

He's held an important position at Apple since 1997, but his position gets eliminated and he just gets fired?

 

[Rigby]

OK, now I'm starting to panic about the future direction of macOS. Things like the shell and AppleScript are crucial for me and a key reason why I prefer the Mac. Is this the beginning of the end? Will they turn it into another version of iOS now?

 

[vjl323]

This is very, very bad news. I'm the last person to get on the "Apple is doomed" boat, but this really does not bode well. Do some research on this guy - chances are, things he has worked on are things you've used and created habits for to increase your productivity. Him leaving by Apple's choice is a change in direction that does not feel good to me.

 

[weup togo]

This is not an isolated incident. There have been widespread layoffs throughout engineering in the past few months. The hundreds fired from the Titan car project was just the beginning. Sal and a number of other very senior managers and directors are gone, as well as lots of line staff scattered across many teams.

They weren't sub-par people either. Some of them were superstars. The common thread is that they were by and large very expensive. And there's a hiring freeze too. Apple is having serious financial stress this quarter, and they're using unprecedented cost-cutting layoffs to try to stem the damage.

 

[Sedulous]

Yeah, but this won't affect emoji development, right?

 

[invisiblecube]

I'll say it again: you suck Apple.

 

[Wackery]

Yeah, but this won't affect emoji development, right?

tim has the budget secured, along with the watchband team, don't worry

 

[now i see it]

Another day, another Cupertinoian red flag. It's like watching the titanic sink in very slow motion.

 

[Aldaris]

This is worrisome.

Is this a breadcrumb leading to the fashion lifestyle brand? Leaving the Mac an appliance, when watch bands and such are the focus.

I've been trending closer and closer to the "Apple is doomed" camp, primarily with the unknowns of the Mac Pro updates, and even more with the graceful exit of the display arena. When Rose Gold, emojis and watch bands are focus, along with a book to rest their laurels on...

How do you just eliminate a position of someone whom by accounts seems to have been instrumantal across many of Apples signature in offerings? Troubling times indeed.

 

[Rkuda]

This is a damn shame, he was very passionate about what he was doing.

I watched his wwdc presentation last summer when Apple first released the videos and he was doing some insane stuff with automation.

The wwdc video has since been removed...

That's some pretty piss poor work there Apple.

 

[dumastudetto]

This is worrisome.

It really isn't:
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/2016/11/sal-sagohian/

I quote:
"Before we get all crazy, it is Sal that is no longer at Apple. The technologies remain."

And:
"Meanwhile, I am optimistic about the future of desktop automation on the Mac. "

People need to chill out. People come and go from jobs all the time. This is no big deal. The future has never been brighter for Apple and their powerful computing platforms.

 

[Wild-Bill]

Apple SUCKS. Take your overpriced coffee table book, and your overpriced, port-lacking, soldered memory & SSD, fake speaker grill, GPU-overheating MacBook 'Pro's and stick 'em where the sun don't shine.

 

[burgman]

Another day, another Cupertinoian red flag. It's like watching the titanic sink in very slow motion.

Apple has a long way to go before getting in the same layoff binge as Microsoft. About a third of Apple's workforce would have to go. Mostly likely he was vested and very wealthy so we aren't getting the complete picture. Oh yeah almost forgot.... Apple is doomed

 

[weup togo]

People need to chill out. People come and go from jobs all the time. This is no big deal. The future has never been brighter for Apple and their powerful computing platforms.

Your information is incomplete, and your unfounded hope is misplaced.

 

[cariacou]

They decided to replace his contributions by a home button for MacOS X devices

 

[hachre]

Tim Cook loves the Mac and he's very committed to it.

"Why would anyone still buy a PC these days? No really... Why?!" (talking about the iPad Pro)

 

[Markoth]

Apple: You mess with AppleScript, or stop improving it, or you mess with the CLI, I'm done. Windows PowerShell is improving, and the Linux CLI is as powerful as the Mac CLI currently is (minus the awesome proprietary commands that Apple provides, unfortunately), so when push comes to shove, I will have alternatives. Please don't force my hand. I use automation technologies on the Mac all the time, and won't be able to work without them.

It really isn't:
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/2016/11/sal-sagohian/

I quote:
"Before we get all crazy, it is Sal that is no longer at Apple. The technologies remain."

And:
"Meanwhile, I am optimistic about the future of desktop automation on the Mac. "

People need to chill out. People come and go from jobs all the time. This is no big deal. The future has never been brighter for Apple and their powerful computing platforms.

It's not so simple! They're removing the position itself! That means fewer people working on Mac automation tech. Eliminating a leadership role doesn't bode well for the remainder of the people still working on it.

 

[BB8]

This is not an isolated incident. There have been widespread layoffs throughout engineering in the past few months. The hundreds fired from the Titan car project was just the beginning. Sal and a number of other very senior managers and directors are gone, as well as lots of line staff scattered across many teams.

They weren't sub-par people either. Some of them were superstars. The common thread is that they were by and large very expensive. And there's a hiring freeze too. Apple is having serious financial stress this quarter, and they're using unprecedented cost-cutting layoffs to try to stem the damage.

They're in the process of launching a brand new marketing team though.

 

[PizzaBoxStyle]

This is not an isolated incident. There have been widespread layoffs throughout engineering in the past few months. The hundreds fired from the Titan car project was just the beginning. Sal and a number of other very senior managers and directors are gone, as well as lots of line staff scattered across many teams.

They weren't sub-par people either. Some of them were superstars. The common thread is that they were by and large very expensive. And there's a hiring freeze too. Apple is having serious financial stress this quarter, and they're using unprecedented cost-cutting layoffs to try to stem the damage.

Yikes!

Well I hope they at least keep making phones. I can switch to Windows for my desktop, but I don't know if I can switch to Android for my mobile phone!

Also purely out of curiosity, do you have a source (insider?), or is this your analysis of several different sources? Genuinely curious as it sounds like things have gotten more bleak than I'd realized!

Off to check Glassdoor!

 

[jonnysods]

This is not an isolated incident. There have been widespread layoffs throughout engineering in the past few months. The hundreds fired from the Titan car project was just the beginning. Sal and a number of other very senior managers and directors are gone, as well as lots of line staff scattered across many teams.

They weren't sub-par people either. Some of them were superstars. The common thread is that they were by and large very expensive. And there's a hiring freeze too. Apple is having serious financial stress this quarter, and they're using unprecedented cost-cutting layoffs to try to stem the damage.

What's with that bloody huge building then!!