Haven't deadlines at Apple always been driven by marketing? I'm looking for a source but I remember a story where the product director for iPod was told by steve jobs "make it simple, fast, beautiful, and have it done by Christmas."
That's sure to send shivers down the spine of anyone reading it here but, to be fair to jobs, he managed to get exactly what he wanted on that occasion.
Asking for stuff requires no talent, vision, discipline or effort whatsoever. Pretty much anyone can do it. If you don't actually deliver, you don't actually matter.
