Apple ousts mobile software chief Scott Forstall and retail head John Browett
Apple said two key executives are leaving the company, in its biggest management shake up in a decade, following embarrassing problems with its new mapping software.
Scott Forstall, its longtime mobile software chief who at one time appeared to be an heir apparent to the late Steve Jobs, will be leaving the company next year, Apple said in an announcement released on Tuesday.
Reports, citing sources close to Apple, claim Forstall was fired because of internal tensions between him and other executives, culminating in his refusal to sign Apple's apology over the shortcomings in its maps service.
Forstall, who joined the company in 1997 along with the returning Jobs, will remain an advisor to CEO Tim Cook for the rest of this year.
His duties will be taken over by four other executives - Jony Ive, Eddy Cue, Craig Federighi, and Bob Mansfield.
Ive will provide leadership and direction for human interface across the company in addition to his role as the leader of industrial design.
Cue will oversee Siri and Maps, placing all of the company’s online services in one group, while Federighi will lead both iOS and OS X.
Bob Mansfield will lead a new group, Technologies, which combines all of Apple’s wireless teams across the company in one organization, including the semiconductor teams.
Apple said John Browett, who took over as head of the successful retail stores division in April, is leaving – but did not elaborate. Apple has begun search for a replacement for Browett. The retail team will report directly to Tim Cook until a replacement is found.
Sara Mazur succeeds Jan Färjh as Ericsson’s new research head
Ericsson has appointed Sara Mazur as VP and new head of Ericsson Research, Group Function Technology, effective November 19.
Mazur replaces Jan Färjh, who has taken up another position within Ericsson as head of standardization and industry, Group Function Technology.
A scientist with 17 years of experience in research and development, Mazur joined Ericsson Research in 1995 and has since held many management positions in the group.
Currently she is VP and head of system management within Business Unit Networks, focusing on unit-wide technology and research coordination and strategic management of technologies.
Mazur will be a member of Group Function Technology's leadership team, headed by Ericsson CTO Ulf Ewaldsson, and will be based in Stockholm, Sweden.