Also: PayPal lays off hundreds; Steve Ballmer’s new mission for Microsoft.
Senior VP and iOS chief Scott Forstall is leaving Apple.
Inside Apple’s major shakeup [FORTUNE]
Indeed, as Hurricane Sandy barreled toward the East Coast, a worsening storm embroiled Apple too. Suffice it to say that even as Apple’s stock-market valuation has made the company the biggest in the world, these past few months haven’t been Apple’s finest. Little by little, mistakes that, taken in isolation, might have seemed trivial have added up to represent a company that needs to get its act together.
Apple executive refused to sign maps apology [THE WALL STREET JOURNAL]
The incident was the latest clash between Mr. Forstall, who oversaw Apple’s mobile software unit, and other executives at the company. It led to one of the most significant management shake-ups in Apple’s recent history and its most sweeping changes under Chief Executive Tim Cook. … Mr. Browett, who only recently was appointed head of the company’s retail operations, failed to fit in at Apple and made some mistakes. They included the faulty implementation of a new staffing formula that cut some employee hours too severely.
EBay’s PayPal cuts 445 jobs in restructuring [CNNMONEY]
About 325 full-time PayPal employees, mainly in the product and tech sectors, were told Monday of the layoffs. PayPal is also cutting contracts with about 120 contractors, but it was unclear if they were also informed on Monday.
The 325 full-time employees being cut represent 2.5% of PayPal’s full-time workforce of about 13,000 . PayPal’s parent company, eBay, will take a $15 million charge in the fourth quarter for the job cuts.
Ballmer’s new mission for Microsoft [THE WALL STREET JOURNAL]
Mr. Ballmer: The number one thing it takes is a great product. You’ll find things on Windows phones that you won’t find on iPhone or Android, which isn’t enough, but it’s fantastic. Number two, people actually have to be able to see them, touch them and feel them. In the U.S., you can go into an AT&T store or a Verizon store and [Windows phones are] well presented, the salespeople know what they’re talking about. Number three, we have to tell the story in our own voice. We have not done Windows-phone advertising for awhile. You’ll see us get out and do that.
Don’t miss the latest tech news. Sign up now to get Today in Tech emailed every morning.
