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.