“He’s young (43). Comfortable on stage (played Sweeney Todd in high school). Has serious nerd credentials (Stanford, NeXT). Shares Steve Jobs’ obsession with detail (keeps a jeweler’s loupe in his office to check every pixel on every icon). And the division he heads — mobile software — drives nearly 70% of Apple’s income,” ,” Philip Elmer-DeWitt reports for Fortune. “‘He’s a sharp, down-to-earth, and talented engineer, and a more-than-decent presenter,’ one entrepreneur told Adam Lashinsky. ‘He’s the total package.'”
“According to Lashinsky’s new book Inside Apple: How America’s Most Admired–and Secretive–Company Really Works, senior vice president Scott Forstall stands out among the rest of Apple’s executive team as the most likely to succeed Steve Jobs once the Tim Cook era is over,” P.E.D. reports. “If… ‘If there’s a knock on Forstall,’ writes Lashinsky, ‘it’s that he wears his ambition in plainer view than the typical Apple executive. He blatantly accumulated influence in recent years, including, it is whispered, when Jobs was on medical leave.'”
Read more in the full article here.
He, definitely is !!!
Considering the fact that Jobs proposed Timothy Cook to rule Apple for at least ten years (Jobs and other Board members voted Cook’s stock options to be arranged specific way), Forstall’s career will stuck for a while.
So they’re paying Tim Cook $500 million…to be….Scott Forstall’s seat warmer?
Ballmer’s fat ass would have done a better job, but it wasn’t worth what it would cost apple in the long run.
As Forstall was just granted $60 million in restricted stock (at a value of $400/share), I don’t think he will mind having his career “stuck for a while”.
The value of the stock has already increased $3.75 million in the past month.
Scott and Tim are both essential to Apple.
Why does the CEO have to be the “Front Guy” for everything ?
In Events, I enjoy seeing the other SVPs. It is reassuring and shows the many talented people that make up the top levels of Apple.
Agree, the guy playing host at Apple events should be Forstall. CEO or not you want to put your best guy forward when it matters. Scott is far closer to exuding that Stevelyness style and stage presence than Tim is. And we need even a small piece of that stage presence back at future Keynotes. Let Tim do his CEO thing and leave the presentations to Scott.
Well duh!…senior exec at Apple eyes company advancement! If he didn’t, he would be outta the door before you could say ‘no ambition’. This is news???
I see cnet’s Don Reisinger is spinning this as ‘a stab in the back for Tim Cook’ and the start of a whispering campaign to unsettle the Apple love-in.
It’s important for Apple’s shareholders to know that the company is working hard to keep key executives locked up and producing for the company. This is nothing more than a, “Don’t worry, Forstall’s not going anywhere” story.
It’s like Riker on the Enterprise, sure he could command his own ship, but it wouldn’t compare to commanding the Enterprise.
Tim does a great job as COO. Would there be a problem with having Forstall as a complementary CEO, assuming he is the man? Even Jobs didn’t wear both hats. I mean, it’s all for the good of the company, right?
While Jobs ruled – his 1 dollar a year payment should be an example for all corporate CEOs.
Yet, there stands Tim Cook who has taken home far too much cash. Poor greedy example which will end Apple – history will repeat itself.
Steve Woz now seems to think Macs are for users scared of computers… overly simplified.
And says Siri is screwing up more now then ever preferring and claiming Android leads. No one takes you seriously anymore Woz.
Cook seems to be Cooked… Scott has always been seen as the only obvious successor to Jobs – the passion and presentation is indeed the entire package needed next.
… when he accepted – insisted on – his “$1” paycheck. He didn’t need the money. Not saying Tim Cook – or Scott Forestall – is “poor”, just that they are not as well set as Jobs was. Yet … both are taking home Far Too Much Cash. Not more than they are worth – by the standards of other companies – but more than they need.
Jobs stood out in his compensation agreement. Those who follow him ought to, too, but don’t HAVE to. Isn’t the captaincy of one of the most valuable companies in the world a big enough ego-boost that you can let go of the “most highly-paid executive” boost? How fragile IS your ego?
Ohhh… an “ego boost.” What’s the point? I’ve never understood the point of
“respect” from your “peers” and the “admiration” and “They like me. They really like me!” crap. Unless they’re giving me money or I’m getting something tangible out of it besides some sort of shallow satisfaction that garners me exactly jack shit, I just don’t get it. I didn’t get it in high school and I don’t get it now, and I never will. People are only useful to a point, then you move on to the next useful idiot.
Since that you are realizing that you are a sociopath, now is the time to seek help.
Only reason he don’t get the snowdrift is he reads too much Ayn Rand. Look close at his leotard.
The best to happen to Apple is for Forstall to make a power grab maneouver, or get too big for his britches and Cook either fire him or demote him, in which after he would leave.
Changes in dynasty are never clean. But new passion needs to come forth.
And Forstall needs to grow the hell up before he ever gets the chance to lead. He tries too much to be a Steve clone.
Sadly, ‘Apple Inc.’ will take quite awhile to find that ‘Special Someone’ who will again exemplify the philosophy, heart and soul of this great company. Let the evolution begin with as little blood spilling as possible!
There be promise of blood spillin’ all righty as Scottie played Sweeney Todd, the murderin’ barber. Ain’t that the pits.
I’m for the creative, visionary types. Apple must make sure Jonny Ive is there forever.
as long as Ives is there Forstall will never be CEO. Apparently they can’t work together…
I’d rather it be Ive than Forstall.
He should make a great CEO. I just hope he can continue innovating Apple like Jobs did and Cook Is trying to do.