Skip to content
Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 33 years
and the TidBITS Content Network for Apple professionals

ExtraBITS for 29 October 2012

With all of Apple’s announcements last week, our issue became too big! But we have even more great content for you, which we’ll run in an issue soon. In the meantime, we lead with breaking news of a management shakeup at Apple, with Scott Forstall and John Browett leaving the company. Next, hear Tonya Engst deliver verdicts on the new products with the rest of the MacJury, read Steve McCabe’s critical take on the iPhone 5, read an explanation of why Apple’s faster Wi-Fi may be just hot air, and get Glenn Fleishman’s firsthand look at what it’s like to be a winner (briefly) on the long-running game show Jeopardy!

Forstall, Browett Leaving Apple in Management Shakeup — Citing the desire for “changes that will encourage even more collaboration between the Company’s world-class hardware, software and services teams,” Apple announced that Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall is leaving the company in 2013. Also packing up, apparently immediately, is Senior Vice President of Retail John Browett, with CEO Tim Cook taking over his duties until a new head of retail operations can be hired. Meanwhile, other Apple senior vice
presidents are taking on additional responsibilities. Industrial designer Jonathan Ive will start working with software teams to “provide leadership and direction for Human Interface (HI) across the company.” Eddy Cue of Internet Software and Services assumes responsibility for Siri and Maps, in addition to overseeing the iTunes Store, the App Store, the iBookstore, and iCloud. Craig Federighi, who formerly headed up Mac Software Engineering, will also lead iOS development. And Bob Mansfield, who abruptly retired in June 2012 only to return in an unspecified role a short time later, will lead a new Technologies group that combines all of Apple’s wireless groups.

Read/post comments

Tonya Engst Discusses New iPad mini on MacJury — TidBITS editor in chief Tonya Engst joined the MacJury to talk about Apple’s 23 October 2012 announcement of the iPad mini and new Mac models, along with Dave Hamilton, Mark Fuccio, and Omaha Sternberg, plus host Chuck Joiner. Note that Glenn’s TidBITS article “How Apple “Doubled” iPad Wi-Fi Throughput” (24 October 2012) has better information about the faster Wi-Fi speeds in the new iPad models than what was shared on the MacJury.

Read/post comments

iPhone 5: The Best Yet, But Still an iPhone — Steve McCabe casts a critical eye over Apple’s latest update to the iPhone, deciding that while the iPhone 5 is a very good smartphone and the best iPhone ever, its features don’t significantly change the overall experience of using an iPhone, especially in comparison to the iPhone 4S.

Read/post comments

How Apple “Doubled” iPad Wi-Fi Throughput — Apple’s Phil Schiller said repeatedly during last week’s iPad event that the fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini had Wi-Fi that was twice as fast as the preceding models. Not so fast, Phil. Glenn Fleishman lays out the real story.

Read/post comments

Winning and Losing on Jeopardy — Glenn Fleishman spent an exciting couple of days in August in Los Angeles appearing on the TV show Jeopardy. He won two episodes before losing in the strangest game he recalls ever seeing. But the oddest part is how hard it is to watch the popular program.

Read/post comments

Subscribe today so you don’t miss any TidBITS articles!

Every week you’ll get tech tips, in-depth reviews, and insightful news analysis for discerning Apple users. For over 33 years, we’ve published professional, member-supported tech journalism that makes you smarter.

Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.