Apple 'Less Arrogant' Under Tim Cook, Says France Telecom CEO
Apple "is probably a little less arrogant then they used to be" under CEO Tim Cook, according to the head of a major European telecom operator.
France Telecom-Orange CEO Stephane Richard shared his take on the Cupertino, Calif. company at a dinner with reporters during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
According to All Things D, Richard compared Apple under Cook to the company's Steve Jobs era by saying, "I think they are probably a little more under pressure, and it is quite nice.”
Richard also added that he saw Apple as being more flexible and aware of other companies.
But was Richard complimenting Cook's more laid-back style, or taking a subtle dig at a company that's experienced some uncharacteristic slip-ups since Cook became CEO following Jobs' death in October 2011?
The Apple Maps app released with iOS 6 became something of a fiasco for the company after its launch last September. Shoddy directions and mind-bending visual bugs were widely mocked by consumers and critics online. The manager in charge of the product was eventually fired.
A New York Times investigative series early last year brought to mainstream consciousness the grueling, often inhumane conditions endured by employees of Apple's Foxconn manufacturing centers in China. That then triggered a public backlash against the company. Meanwhile, some observers say that rival Samsung has made considerable gains on Apple in the two companies' hard-fought marketing war.
Apple stock did hit an all-time high last September, but it's hiccups like those above that could lead to Richard's comments in Barcelona being taken either of two ways.
How do you feel Tim Cook has performed as Apple CEO? Give us your take in the comments.
France Telecom-Orange CEO Stephane Richard shared his take on the Cupertino, Calif. company at a dinner with reporters during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
According to All Things D, Richard compared Apple under Cook to the company's Steve Jobs era by saying, "I think they are probably a little more under pressure, and it is quite nice.”
Richard also added that he saw Apple as being more flexible and aware of other companies.
But was Richard complimenting Cook's more laid-back style, or taking a subtle dig at a company that's experienced some uncharacteristic slip-ups since Cook became CEO following Jobs' death in October 2011?
The Apple Maps app released with iOS 6 became something of a fiasco for the company after its launch last September. Shoddy directions and mind-bending visual bugs were widely mocked by consumers and critics online. The manager in charge of the product was eventually fired.
A New York Times investigative series early last year brought to mainstream consciousness the grueling, often inhumane conditions endured by employees of Apple's Foxconn manufacturing centers in China. That then triggered a public backlash against the company. Meanwhile, some observers say that rival Samsung has made considerable gains on Apple in the two companies' hard-fought marketing war.
Apple stock did hit an all-time high last September, but it's hiccups like those above that could lead to Richard's comments in Barcelona being taken either of two ways.
How do you feel Tim Cook has performed as Apple CEO? Give us your take in the comments.
Report by :
Sam Laird
