Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Former iOS Chief Scott Forstall Discusses Creating the First iPhone
Former iOS chief Scott Forstall gave a rare interview last night at an event at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, where he discussed the birth of the iPhone and his relationship with Steve Jobs.
Speaking to journalist John Markoff after an opening hour with original iPhone engineers Nitin Ganatra, Hugo Fiennes, and Scott Herz, Forstall's appearance was the first time he had spoken publicly since he was ousted from Apple in October 2012, following the botched launch of Apple Maps.
Scott Forstall (right) speaking to John Markoff
Forstall proved a charismatic storyteller on the night as he discussed his school education and his early career at Steve Jobs' NeXT, before moving on to his work on the first iPhone at Apple. The former iOS chief spoke with genuine warmth about his time with the company, but stopped short of offering any huge revelations, although the audience was treated to a few more details as well as some humorous episodes along the way.
For example, Forstall claimed that before the iPhone was conceived, Jobs had initially wanted a tablet with capacitative touch and multitouch in order to get one over on someone he "hated" who worked at Microsoft.
Forstall also touched upon the concept of skeuomorphic design, claiming he had "never heard of skeuomorphism" when he was working on iOS and that it sounded "unnatural".
Forstall also spoke touchingly about his friendship with Jobs, including the time when Forstall contracted a rare and potentially lethal vomiting virus which left him in hospital for months, before the late Apple CEO arranged for an acupuncturist to treat him. After two sessions, Forstall was discharged from hospital and went on to make a complete recovery.
Forstall shared a particularly funny anecdote about how Jobs insisted on paying for both their lunches at the Apple cafeteria, despite the fact that the $8 meals were charged against staff paychecks with each scan of their badges, and as CEO, Jobs only got paid a dollar a year.
Lastly, Forstall said he is not currently developing technology himself, and will continue his work in an advisory capacity. You can watch all of the interviews on Facebook.
Speaking to journalist John Markoff after an opening hour with original iPhone engineers Nitin Ganatra, Hugo Fiennes, and Scott Herz, Forstall's appearance was the first time he had spoken publicly since he was ousted from Apple in October 2012, following the botched launch of Apple Maps.
Forstall proved a charismatic storyteller on the night as he discussed his school education and his early career at Steve Jobs' NeXT, before moving on to his work on the first iPhone at Apple. The former iOS chief spoke with genuine warmth about his time with the company, but stopped short of offering any huge revelations, although the audience was treated to a few more details as well as some humorous episodes along the way.
For example, Forstall claimed that before the iPhone was conceived, Jobs had initially wanted a tablet with capacitative touch and multitouch in order to get one over on someone he "hated" who worked at Microsoft.
"It began because Steve hated this guy at Microsoft. That is the actual origin," Forstall said, before adding that it wasn't Bill Gates. After hearing the person boast about Microsoft's tablet and stylus development, said Forstall, "Steve came in on a Monday, there was a set of expletives and then he said, 'Let's show them how it's really done'."Regarding the iPhone, Forstall said the idea for the device was initially born when he and Jobs were eating lunch and they noticed everyone was using their phones. "We hated them," he said. "No one seemed like it was a pleasurable thing to use a phone, but it's a nice thing for communication." The episode prompted Jobs to ask the tablet design team to redouble their efforts to perfect multitouch but to miniaturize it for a device that you could put in your pocket.
Forstall also touched upon the concept of skeuomorphic design, claiming he had "never heard of skeuomorphism" when he was working on iOS and that it sounded "unnatural".
"When I look at design - when I look at good design - it's approachable, friendly, you can use it without a manual. It's fun. We talked a lot about photo-illustrative design. It was infused into the design sense of Apple by Steve Jobs since the original Mac. We used these design philosophies. It doesn't mean we loved it, or loved every single part of it. We know it worked. How do we know it worked? You just have to watch people use it."Elsewhere, Forstall chose to highlight the many emails he received from customers explaining how the iPhone and iPad had changed and even saved lives. One email was from a 100-year-old woman who had been an avid reader and writer all her life, before age had made these pastimes impossible. The iPad bought for her by her family had allowed her to take up reading and writing again, long after she had all but given up hope.
Forstall also spoke touchingly about his friendship with Jobs, including the time when Forstall contracted a rare and potentially lethal vomiting virus which left him in hospital for months, before the late Apple CEO arranged for an acupuncturist to treat him. After two sessions, Forstall was discharged from hospital and went on to make a complete recovery.
Forstall shared a particularly funny anecdote about how Jobs insisted on paying for both their lunches at the Apple cafeteria, despite the fact that the $8 meals were charged against staff paychecks with each scan of their badges, and as CEO, Jobs only got paid a dollar a year.
Lastly, Forstall said he is not currently developing technology himself, and will continue his work in an advisory capacity. You can watch all of the interviews on Facebook.
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28 months ago
I don't miss this guy. Compare iOS 10/11 to iOS 6. I can't switch back.
That makes no sense...How are you comparing software released in 2012 to software in 2017? Obviously the 2017 versions are more feature-rich and refined. You're acting if Scott was still at Apple that iOS wouldn't have evolved at all.
28 months ago
I don't miss this guy. Compare iOS 10/11 to iOS 6. I can't switch back.
That's true. Apple doesn't let you downgrade your iOS.
28 months ago
How sad it's very outdated looking and awful
As compared to iOS 11? With that good looking control centre that isn't a complete mess, the notification centre that makes perfect design sense, and the rest of the UI filled with blown up fonts and tons of white space everywhere which isn't so blinding to the point where everyone isn't practically begging for a dark mode? Let's shove reduce motion, darken colours, reduce transparency, button shapes etc. in the settings to make the OS more barable, eh?
iOS 6 had none of this and in my opinion still looks premium and not like a cheap toy with no personality, joy, or warmth. It also performs better than a 2017 A10 iPhone (I know because I have an iPhone 5 running iOS 6), and has virtually zero lag or random jitters unlike today. A 4 year old OS running on 2012 hardware that runs smoother and more seamless than todays. Oh, and a music app didn't completely suck balls.
28 months ago
I don't know why he didn't just apologize over the Maps fiasco and moved on. He really should have still been at Apple.
Because the "data" in maps was not his work? And it was never part of Apple's DNA to pander to the vocal minority, least of all by apologizing. I respect Forstall for standing up for himself and his principles (and his team).
But all of this is just a smokescreen. It was almost common knowledge that Forstall and Cook were the two finalists for the role of CEO before Steve passed away. Getting rid of Forstall was just Cook's way of cementing his position and transforming Jobs' Apple2010 to Cook's Apple2017.
I miss Forstall's charisma (he's the only Apple exec I know of, who made a Seinfeld reference on stage .... culture.) . I think he would have made a better CEO or CTO. I miss Apple2010.
28 months ago
I watched this interview last night on Facebook. I was about to go to bed at 11:34 PM then someone tweeted the link to the live stream recorded and I had to watch it. The first part featured two software engineers and a hardware specialist who worked on things like radio. For the most part, it was good, but the second hour with Scott was the best. Scott is such a funny and witty guy. I don't know why he didn't just apologize over the Maps fiasco and moved on. He really should have still been at Apple.
He and Steve had a really close friendship at Apple and I think the death of Steve affected him deeply. Take into account, both had lunch every Tuesday, Steve even bought his lunch (which cost $8). He even saw him up to his last days. So, I think he kinda lost interest because part of his motivation for working there wasn't around anymore. He even said Steve saved his life when he battled a rare flu virus. One of the funny memories he mentioned about Steve was over the pricing of a product. Scott wanted a reasonable pricing, while Steve was going to high. Scott insisted because he has family and friends who can't afford this; you are a billionaire, he said. Steve responded "a multi-billionaire". Steve ultimately won.
Its worth watching all over it, but I would suggest watching Scotts part first then the first part after.
He and Steve had a really close friendship at Apple and I think the death of Steve affected him deeply. Take into account, both had lunch every Tuesday, Steve even bought his lunch (which cost $8). He even saw him up to his last days. So, I think he kinda lost interest because part of his motivation for working there wasn't around anymore. He even said Steve saved his life when he battled a rare flu virus. One of the funny memories he mentioned about Steve was over the pricing of a product. Scott wanted a reasonable pricing, while Steve was going to high. Scott insisted because he has family and friends who can't afford this; you are a billionaire, he said. Steve responded "a multi-billionaire". Steve ultimately won.
Its worth watching all over it, but I would suggest watching Scotts part first then the first part after.
28 months ago
Nice summary Tim Hardwick ('https://www.macrumors.com/author/tim-hardwick/'), thanks for writing to well about the interview. Scott Forstall is a real leader and is the father of iOS and a great great contributor of the iPhone. The iPhone could not be successful without him.
Its really sad how Tim Cook worked to destroy him, in the Keynotes and the press.
Who else has the Apple DNA as Scott Forstall? He worked with Steve Jobs since NeXt, OS X and iOS. The most cutting edge and successfull Operating Systems out there.
Thanks Scott!
Its really sad how Tim Cook worked to destroy him, in the Keynotes and the press.
Who else has the Apple DNA as Scott Forstall? He worked with Steve Jobs since NeXt, OS X and iOS. The most cutting edge and successfull Operating Systems out there.
Thanks Scott!
28 months ago
"After hearing the person boast about Microsoft's tablet and stylus development, said Forstall, "Steve came in on a Monday, there was a set of expletives and then he said, 'Let's show them how it's really done'."
...and they did.
Microsoft had the run of the park from 2002 to 2010 with their Microsoft Tablet PC specification, and yet their current Surface tablets owe almost everything to the iPad.
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