Apple iOS, Retail Store Executives Resign

Apple has announced that the people in charge of iOS and its retail store business are leaving the company. Surprisingly, industry analysts aren't concerned about the departures.

Apple iOS chief Scott Forstall and retail executive John Browett have both announced they are leaving the Cupertino, California-based firm. Browett, who is leaving immediately, has been on the job only six months.

Forstall has been with Apple for fifteen years. The company has previously said it considers him one of the lead architects of the firm's popular Mac OS X operating system. (Source: bostonherald.com)

Maps Disaster, Apple Store Hours Mix-up to Blame?

It's not known for certain what precipitated the shakeup. It's possible, however, that internal disputes were to blame. Earlier this year, Browett attempted to reduce Apple Store hours, a decision that was later reversed and called a mistake.

Forstall was partly responsible for Apple's new Maps service, which replaced Google Maps on iOS. The new service immediately ran into problems, showing major cities miles from their actual locations.

Smooth Sailing Ahead, Analysts Suggest

Perhaps that's why prominent industry analysts haven't expressed disapproval for the company's management shakeup.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster was satisfied that both design chief Jony Ive and chief executive Tim Cook will remain with the firm for the foreseeable future.

For this reason, Munster says he believes that "despite the departure of Forstall who ran iOS development, iOS's future is in good hands." (Source: cnet.com)

Meanwhile, Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White suggested the moves were part of Apple's "natural evolution."

Shaw Wu of Sterne Agee noted "these moves make sense," though he did admit his firm was "surprised" by the news of Forstall's departure.

Nevertheless, like Gene Munster, Wu says "we don't think it will be a big deal as the company has arguably not missed a beat despite senior departures in the past."

"Strong culture trumps management turnover," Wu added. (Source: cnet.com)