iOS Head Scott Forstall Out at Apple

Apple said Monday that Scott Forstall, its senior vice president of iOS software, will leave the company next year. Until he leaves, Forstall, who at one time was thought of as a potential successor to the late CEO Steve Jobs, will serve as an advisor to current CEO Tim Cook, Apple said in a statement. The company didn’t say why Forstall is departing.

Craig Federighi, who is senior vice president of Mac software engineering, will also take on responsibility for iOS. Though the changes are unexpected, they seem to show that Apple is really trying to bring its mobile and desktop software platforms closer together.

Forstall’s departure was one of a slew of changes the company announced. These include the departure of senior vice president of retail, John Browett—until a replacement is found, the retail team will report directly to Cook, Apple said.

In addition, Apple said that Jony Ive, senior vice president of industrial design and the man responsible for the look of most products, will lead and direct human interfaces across Apple. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president for Internet software and services, will tack on responsibility for Apple’s Maps app and its Siri digital assistant. And senior vice president Bob Mansfield will lead a new group that includes all of Apple’s wireless teams and its chip teams.