Scott Forstall discusses working with Steve Jobs, the creation of Apple TV, and more (with video)

“Since departing Apple in 2012, Scott Forstall has shifted his focus primarily to Broadway production,” Chance Miller writes for 9to5Mac. “Every so often, however, Forstall takes time in an interview to reference his days as an Apple software VP.”

On Tuesday, “video from an episode of Philosophy Talk – entitled ‘The Creative Life’ – was shared on YouTube,” Miller writes. “In the interview, Scott Forstall is asked about working for Steve Jobs and how that relationship affected creativity. ”

“Co-host Ken Taylor pointed to Jobs’ reputation as a ‘brutally honest man’ and asked Forstall how creativity was able to thrive in such an environment. The former Apple executive explained that Apple was always 100 percent committed to an idea,” Miller writes. “For his part in fostering creativity, Forstall explained that after finishing a release of Mac OS X, he would allow his team to have one month to work on whatever they wanted. After this month was over, everyone would present their creations to Forstall. One such presentation was for a 10-foot interface – which ultimately led to the creation of the Apple TV.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Ignore the hosts’ introduction bit about how Forstall “invented the iPhone and the iPad.” He helped. A lot, but as part of a team led by Steve Jobs, who, if you’re going to credit one person, actually invented the iPhone and the iPad because he’s the one person who was required in order for iPhone and iPad to exist today.

Anyway, Forstall starts off right away with something interesting:

Creating a Broadway show is incredibly similar to creating a tech startup. – Scott Forstall

9 Comments

    1. On the flip side he seriously screwed up Apple Maps and was totally responsible for the Mess/Debacle !
      Also lots of shortsighted shortcomings in iOS, issues that iPad is still suffering from to date.

      Its not as Rosy as some like to paing him as.

      1. One so-called screwup from a man with a legendary 20-year career as Steve’s right hand man is meaningless. It happened during a time internally in Apple when he was challenging Cook for the CEO position and the internal politics favored Cook, over Forstall. It was an EPIC EXCUSE to kick Jobs heir apparent to the curb, nothing more. Learn THE TRUTH for once! Google Scott Forstall Wikipedia, read it and weep…

  1. He was then asked, being the heir apparent to Steve Jobs when he was at Apple, what his next Steve-like move would be? Start his own tech company? Create an entirely new market segment? He replied, “I’m a Broadway fella now, I thought I told you we weren’t going to talk about that.”

  2. I would be so stoked if i was those kids in that room! There were some great questions.
    All in all a very informative and great interview.
    I think Scott shared some amazing insights and philosophies.
    Kudos to him.

    1. After a month to work on their own projects, one of Tim’s crew presents amimojis and the technology sector is propelled into the stratosphere.
      Another group contracts with Jennifer Anniston for a cutting edge TV series. The result hasn’t been revealed, but Mr. Cook expects great cultural impact.

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