What the heck is going on at Apple?

Scope of the Shakeup

• Some see the CNN framing as overblown: several departures are retirements or obvious promotions, not a crisis.
• Others argue this is an unusually large and cross‑functional exodus for historically stable Apple leadership (AI, design, hardware, legal, policy, operations, CFO), and therefore legitimately newsworthy.
• There’s concern that Apple is losing not just aging executives but also “rising stars” in AI and search to Meta and others.

Alan Dye, Design, and “Liquid Glass”

• Commenters are overwhelmingly hostile to Dye’s tenure.
• He’s blamed for a decade of regressions in Apple UI: illegible, over‑cosmetic design, and especially the “Liquid Glass” look in iOS/macOS 26, perceived as buggy, battery‑draining, and hard to read.
• Multiple anecdotes claim Apple designers and users were relieved he left; people hope this allows “real HCI people” to regain influence.
• His move to Meta is widely described as a net positive for Apple and a risk for Meta’s usability.

AI Strategy: Crisis or Smart Caution?

• Split view:
  • One camp thinks Apple’s AI efforts (Siri, Apple Intelligence) are embarrassingly weak, and continued talent loss in AI could be existential if AI becomes central to devices.
  • Another argues Apple doesn’t need to “pivot to AI,” can safely integrate third‑party models, and benefits by not shoving AI into everything like Microsoft and Google.
• Several note growing user backlash to AI‑everywhere UX; Apple’s slower, more optional approach is seen by some as a feature, not a bug.

Tim Cook, Succession, and Internal Culture

• Speculation that large moves reflect pre‑Cook‑retirement house‑cleaning or succession drama (who didn’t get the “crown”). Others think it’s simply age‑driven turnover plus internal frustration.
• Many feel Cook is a world‑class operator and “accountant,” but not a product visionary; Apple looks conservative, slow, and increasingly driven by Wall Street.
• There’s anxiety over rumors the chip chief might leave; that is seen as the only truly alarming potential loss.

Product Quality and Direction

• Consensus: hardware (especially Apple Silicon) remains stellar; software and UX have deteriorated.
• macOS/iOS 26, Liquid Glass, Siri stagnation, and the muddled role of iPad are frequent complaints.
• Some think this shakeup is exactly what critics have asked for—a reset of a drifting, design‑ and AI‑confused Apple—while others worry it signals deeper rot reminiscent of pre‑Jobs‑return 1990s Apple.