To understand why Apple's recent engineering shakeup is better for Apple, you must understand how it was before the change.
Apple's hardware engineering division was split into two groups. Apple had Desktop development, headed by Glen Miranker, and PowerBook development, headed by Mark Foster. Both of these Apple Vice Presidents reported to Jon Rubinstein, Apple Senior Vice President for Hardware Engineering. The Desktop team was working on "Sawtooth" and "C2" the successors to the current PowerMac and iMac respectively. The PowerBook team was working on P1, Apple's much-awaited "Consumer Portable" and the successor to the newest line of PowerBooks.
However, this organization changed. Foster's relations with Rubinstein were poor, attributed to a "difference in style," to quote Rubinstein himself. Then, delays in production of the new PowerBooks from Apple sealed Mark Foster's fate at Apple. Last week he "resigned" from Apple, though most agree he was basically fired. At no point was Jon Rubinstein's future at Apple in question.
Instead of hiring a new VP of PowerBooks, Apple has merged the two engineering groups into one. In effect, the PowerBook team was rolled into the Desktop team, with Glen Miranker still heading the unit. Now one man, Glen Miranker, and his large team of engineers are responsible for the four major hardware projects Apple is working on, the successors to iMac, the PowerMac, and PowerBook, then the new Consumer Portable.
Some may say this is a precarious situation. One man is now responsible for four major hardware efforts, three of which are expected to ship within the next six months, with only the next pro PowerBook's ship date unclear. How could this possibly be better than two groups working on two projects each?
First, Mark Foster was ineffective as head of the PowerBook team. Both his relations with Rubinstein and his engineers were hindering the unit. Next, one must understand Apple's hardware strategy. Each of the next four major hardware projects will share as many parts as possible, including the motherboard. This hardware unification effort, codenamed "core99" within Apple, will significantly reduce final costs due to the economics of volume. So if all four of these projects are brought together under one group, the combined shared development effort will speed each of these projects.
Those worried about P1's future after all these changes can put their fears to rest. Steve Jobs is very interested in the Consumer Portable, and is taking a hands-on approach to its development. P1 is still on schedule for a MacWorld New York exhibition, then shipping up to a month later.
Despite what you might read elsewhere, this change is certainly for the better. . Apple's hardware future looks brighter than ever after this change. The previous organization obviously was not working, with delays in PowerBook production as an example of the problems. Instead of assuming this new organization would be worse, one can see that Apple is reacting to problems, utilizing a unified hardware group and product design to maximize production, lower costs, and boost sales for the next year.
