The folks over at TechCrunch have noticed a new entry into the Twiitersphere: Apple's senior vice-president of iOS software Scott Forstall. The account is verified, meaning that it is indeed the real Forstall that helms it.
Hearing that someone--anyone--has joined Twitter doesn't come as a surprise. With millions of users telling each others what they're doing right now, finding out that an unexpected newcomer has signed up for an account isn't so much shocking as it is interesting. We will say this, however: There are few more interesting folks that you could see sign up for a Twitter account than an Apple executive.
Think about it: One of the chosen from Steve Jobs' inner circle of Kool-Aid drinkers has signed up for an account with the largest, arguably most influential social networking services available on the interwebz.
Apple Executive. Social Networking.
See anything wrong with this picture?
Apple's corporate culture has always been about playing things close to the chest. New technology is kept secured under lock and key (most of the time), rumours are controlled with an iron fist, and the company's employees are subjected to a non-disclosure agreement of Faustian proportions. Where does Twitter, a social network made popular by it's ability to share instant real-time information, fit into this framework? Could Forstall be looking to reach out to Apple users through Twitter like Jobs on occasion does through legendarily short emails? Perhaps the SVP of iPhone software is getting a feel for Twitter so as to include greater integration with future builds of iOS? Could it be that he's just lonely? Bored? All of the above? He's following Conan O'Brian--what does it all mean?!
No one knows at this point.
We will say this however: We'll be watching closely to find out.
