I think we are seeing one of the downsides of vertical integration: the team running part of the stack can shit the bed without consequences because they're carried by the whole.

Apple's software design and quality has been going downhill for a while - but their hardware is fantastic and keeps getting better. I've been putting up with the software because the hardware is worth it, and I guess that's going to be put to the test.

For all the griping, it matters little in the face of money. People won't be replaced until sales suffer.

Steve Jobs is no longer there to reign in the designers.