I think I just read one of the most ridiculous articles ever written. Published on PCWorld, it’s entitled “Five Apple turkeys in 2012” and is written by Tom Kaneshige. Let’s deconstruct to see just how ridiculous it is.
The Maps app is Apple’s biggest turkey this year for a number of reasons. Maps is arguably the most important app on the iPhone and other mobile devices. You just can’t get it wrong. Also, Apple’s decision to come out with its own maps app and remove Google Maps from the App Store makes Apple look petty.
Most important app? Isn’t there the phone app? The messaging app? The browser? The email app? And since when was Google Maps available in the App Store? Never! I wonder how Apple could’ve removed an app that never existed in the App Store.
There’s nothing really new about this fourth-generation iPad, either-only a faster chip and a Lightning connector. Apple calls this version “the iPad with Retina Display,” but it was the third-generation iPad that introduced Retina to the tablet.
Twice the performance, HD front-facing camera, new more durable and reversible connector and international LTE. You’re right… Nothing new!
Like Jobs, Forstall is passionate about products and, by many accounts, difficult to work with. He reportedly refused to apologize for the shortcomings of Apple Maps. The Forstall firing signals a new kind of post-Jobs Apple led by a supply-chain guru who believes in collaboration. Is Apple getting soft? You bet.
Firing one of the executives responsible for the creation of the iPhone definitely is a “soft move”.
When Apple came out with a new connector for the iPhone 5 and fourth-generation iPad, called Lightning, Apple consumers who had bought a boatload of iOS peripherals breathed a sigh. Companies such as hotels that outfitted rooms with iOS peripherals breathed a heavier one.
Such is the world of Apple, where Apple lords over the masses-not only hardware but software, too. Apple determines what apps get into the App Store and reserves the right to remove them whenever it wants without any explanation.
Of course, Apple is evil! They release a new reversible and more durable connector that makes their phones thinner and lighter. They refuse apps from the App Store which keeps it free from malware (unlike hum hum, Android). Yes they are evil.
While the outage itself isn’t a big deal, the underlying message is the real turkey: Apple is becoming just another tech company.
Yup, just another tech company. Except they make more profits and sales than all the other companies. I guess you have to choose your battles.
Rene Ritchie got an exclusive preview of the new version of 1Password for iOS. It’s definitely an app I could not live without and I can’t wait to see the changes made to it. I especially can’t wait for iCloud sync. 1Password is the only reason why I keep Dropbox on my computers.
A few days ago, I told you I had just installed Clear on my Mac. After a few days of use, here are a few things I would like to be improved. However, I would like to stress the fact that I love this app and these are only ideas that could improve the experience…
An iPad app, just to complete the ecosystem. I installed the iPhone app on my iPad mini but it looks horrendous.
Persistant menu bar option : Even when I quit the app, I’d like the Clear icon to stay in my menu bar so I can quickly access the app when I need it.
Syncing of where I left the app : If I left a certain list open on my Mac, I’d like that to sync to iCloud. That way, when I launch Clear on my iPhone, I’m exactly where I left off.
I’d like to congratulate the developers and encourage them to keep doing their great work!
Apple today announced executive management changes that will encourage even more collaboration between the Company’s world-class hardware, software and services teams. As part of these changes, Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi will add more responsibilities to their roles. Apple also announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.
A few quick thoughts:
Forstall is a huge loss, clearly. The father of iOS. But he was not without controversy inside of Apple. People have heard about the “skeuomorphic wars”, but there were also plenty of whispers of um, issues, with other employees. And then there was also the matter of Maps and Siri, under his watch, of course.
Apple makes a point in the release of saying that Eddy Cue is now in charge of both Maps and Siri. Read into that what you will.
Forstall’s “special advisor” role sure sounds a lot like a pure optics move. The same title was given to Tony Fadell when he stepped down as head of the iPod division in 2008 (and he officially left about a year later).
Seven (7!) paragraphs in, we get: “Additionally, John Browett is leaving Apple. A search for a new head of Retail is underway and in the interim, the Retail team will report directly to Tim Cook.” This was clearly a mistake by Apple from the start. Good to see them rectify it so quickly.
Bob Mansfield went from retiring (just four months ago!), to un-retiring and being an SVP without an official role, to getting a whole new division, Technologies. HUGE.
Likewise, Jony Ive can now add software design to his resume. The fact that he’s staying may be the single most important thing to Apple in all of this.
Craig Federighi is now in charge of iOS. The OS X/iOS lines continue to blur. I think it will be good to get some new blood in there. It was only two months ago he was elevated to SVP (of OS X), now he is without question one of the most important execs at the company.
No mention of Phil Schiller. No need. He’s clearly number two in the food chain, I believe.
I think Spring will have a Mac-Focused Apple Event. Last year they unveiled OS 10.8 privately to journalists to not create an event “just” for OS X. This year, they could. Maybe an event with OS 10.9 (or XI), Mac Pro, iLife and iWork updates…
Just my thoughts…
Me, on The Verge forums. Just speculating… But who knows?
