Tech giant Apple has reportedly shown the doors to its iOS software chief Scott Forstall after he refused to sign a letter apologizing for problems with Apple Maps. In a major management shakeup, Apple announced that two of its top executives - Forstall and retail store chief John Browett will leave the company.
Forstall's responsibilities are now shared by a group of executives. Eddy Cue, head of Apple's iTunes and iCloud services, will take over Siri and Maps while Craig Federighi will lead development of iOS. Apple said Forstall will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook for the rest of the year before his complete departure from the company.
According to reports in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, Forstall refused to put his name on Apple' apology letter for the shortcomings in Apple's new mapping service released several weeks ago and that led to his ouster. Forstall was said to be a polarizing figure in the company who had enemies inside the executive ranks. Executives like head designer Jony Ive disliked him as he was alleged to be not cooperative and often showed off his close relationship with Apple's late Steve Jobs.
Citing unnamed sources, WSJ reported that Forstall recently told people that there is no "decider" in Apple after Jobs death. In fact, Forstall, in an email sent to some members of Apple's iOS software team, said he felt the group wasn't working on enough big ideas in mobile software.
Other top executive, Browett was recently appointed the head of Apple's retail operations. He put on a poor show especially with the faulty implementation of a new staffing formula and was asked to leave.
"A search for a new head of Retail is underway and in the interim, the Retail team will report directly to Tim Cook," the company said in a statement.
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