“Inside Apple” book says Scott Forstall is Apple's 'CEO-in-waiting'

Hinting at the possibility of a power struggle at Apple in the post-Steve Jobs era, Adam Lashinsky has, in his "Inside Apple" book, claimed that the company's iOS chief Scott Forstall is apparently the Apple `CEO-in-waiting.'

Noting that Senior VP Forstall has his eyes on the top post at Apple, Lashinsky says in the book - precisely titled "Inside Apple: How America's Most Admired -- and Secretive -- Company Really Works" - that Forstall stands out among the Apple executive team as the most prominent Steve Jobs' successor after current CEO Tim Cook's term comes to an end.

Drawing attention to the fact that the `mobile software' unit which Forstall spearheads drives almost 70 percent of Apple's revenue, Lashinsky has revealed, on the basis of information from unnamed sources, that Forstall has blatantly been increasing his influence in the company over the last few years, including the period when Jobs was on medical leave.

Terming Forstall, 43, as a "total package" for the top post at Apple, Lashinsky, citing an entrepreneur, says in his book that Forstall is not only young, sharp, and down-to-earth, but is also a brilliant engineer as well as a "more-than-decent" presenter.

While Lashinsky has also pointed out that Forstall's acceptance, or otherwise, of the "supporting player" role will mark the biggest "internal drama" during Cook's term, Elmer-Dewit has seconded Lashinsky's assertion about Forstall saying that Forstall is "comfortable on stage; . has serious nerd credentials; . and shares Steve Jobs' obsession with detail"!