Report: Quality Control Person responsible for iOS 8.0.1 also Responsible for Maps app Debacle

Post Views: 69

AppleInsider.com is reporting that the same quality control person who was responsible for the Map app problems is the same one who also caused the iOS 8.0.1 problem as well.

Citing sources familiar with Apple’s corporate structure, Bloomberg on Thursday reported the same Apple manager was in charge of quality assurance teams responsible for the two high-profile missteps.

According to the publication, the manager leads a worldwide team of more than 100 people tasked with detecting and fixing iOS software prior to public release. Sources claim that Apple looks to human oversight for bug finding operations instead of automated solutions, making the team vital to the overarching development process.

These people also said Apple’s tight security for new product launches may have contributed to unforeseen issues that cropped up with this week’s iOS 8.0.1 rollout, which itself was designed to fix problems pertaining to the new HealthKit framework. Chief executive Tim Cook reportedly allows only senior managers privileged access to unreleased iPhone hardware, meaning testing may not be as comprehensive as assessments of new software built for current models.

When Apple released iOS 8.0.1 on Wednesday, reports came pouring in from iPhone 6 and 6 Plus owners who could not connect with cellular networks or use the Touch ID fingerprint reader. Earlier today, the company issued a second update in iOS 8.0.2 to bring back lost functionality and correct issues addressed with the initial iOS 8.0.1 update. Apple apologized, saying that some 40,000 people were affected by the incident.

As for the Maps debacle, sources said the manager was taken off the team following customer dissatisfaction with unreliable directions, incorrect points of interest and missing data. The launch was critical at the time as Apple had dropped Google Maps backbone for its own in-house solution. Despite the dust up, the manager in question was kept in charge iOS testing and apparently remains in that position today.