Apple announced Monday that Senior Vice President for iOS Software Scott Forstall and Senior Vice President for Retail John Browett will both be leaving the iPhone maker.

In a press release, Apple said that the changes are being put in place to “encourage even more collaboration between the Company’s world-class hardware, software and service teams.”

No reason as to why Forstall and Browett are leaving Apple was given by the Cupertino, California-based consumer electronics giant.

Forstall, who was once rumored to be a top candidate for the Apple CEO post, will be an advisor to Applce CEO Tim Cook until he leaves in 2013.

Meanwhile, Apple is currently searching for a replacement for Browett’s position. Apple did not indicate when the Briton will leave his SVP position.

In the meantime, the senior management team at Apple will absorb more duties as a result of the shakeup.

Jony Ive takes on Human Interface, Eddy Cue takes on Siri and Maps, Craig Federighi takes on iOS and OSX, and Bob Mansfield takes on a new group called Technologies which will oversee all wireless teams at Apple.

The announcement follows the scandal caused by the iOS 6 Apple Maps which many users from around the world complained as being faulty.

“Apple Announces Changes to Increase Collaboration Across Hardware, Software & Services

Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi Add Responsibilities to Their Roles

CUPERTINO, California—October 29, 2012—Apple today announced executive management changes that will encourage even more collaboration between the Company’s world-class hardware, software and services teams. As part of these changes, Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi will add more responsibilities to their roles. Apple also announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.

‘We are in one of the most prolific periods of innovation and new products in Apple’s history,’ said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. ‘The amazing products that we’ve introduced in September and October, iPhone 5, iOS 6, iPad mini, iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch, iPod nano and many of our applications, could only have been created at Apple and are the direct result of our relentless focus on tightly integrating world-class hardware, software and services.’

Jony Ive will provide leadership and direction for Human Interface (HI) across the company in addition to his role as the leader of Industrial Design. His incredible design aesthetic has been the driving force behind the look and feel of Apple’s products for more than a decade.

Eddy Cue will take on the additional responsibility of Siri and Maps, placing all of our online services in one group. This organization has overseen major successes such as the iTunes Store, the App Store, the iBookstore and iCloud. This group has an excellent track record of building and strengthening Apple’s online services to meet and exceed the high expectations of our customers.

Craig Federighi will lead both iOS and OS X. Apple has the most advanced mobile and desktop operating systems, and this move brings together the OS teams to make it even easier to deliver the best technology and user experience innovations to both platforms.

Bob Mansfield will lead a new group, Technologies, which combines all of Apple’s wireless teams across the company in one organization, fostering innovation in this area at an even higher level. This organization will also include the semiconductor teams, who have ambitious plans for the future.

Additionally, John Browett is leaving Apple. A search for a new head of Retail is underway and in the interim, the Retail team will report directly to Tim Cook. Apple’s Retail organization has an incredibly strong network of leaders at the store and regional level who will continue the excellent work that has been done over the past decade to revolutionize retailing with unique, innovative services for customers.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.”

Images from paz.ca and thetaxhaven on Flickr (CC)

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .