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imitchellg5 · Aug 24, 2011, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

I hope somebody, somewhere, is holding film-quality recordings of various Apple keynotes and is in the process of internetifying them...

Well Apple still has them all online to download in uncompressed quality, if you're sneaky

Lateralus · Aug 25, 2011, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Well Apple still has them all online to download in uncompressed quality, if you're sneaky

How far back though?

show me t3h sneaky

Jawbone54 · Aug 25, 2011, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by freudling

What brand would you jump to if Apple faded and sort of just died out?

I think that's several years down the road (if at all), but I have given some thought to it.

I have no idea. Nothing as it is.

SSharon · Aug 25, 2011, 12:17 AM

I was shocked to hear this news. I hope it doesn't indicate a turn for the worse for his health, but I'm afraid it might. The best case scenario is that they know the stock will tumble now, but will rebound with the iPhone 5 announcement.

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by wadesworld

Sadly, I think there's only one reason Steve job would do this: his health is continuing to decline and he doesn't have much longer.

Agreed, sadly.

Originally Posted by sdilley14

..I expect he will still make some significant contributions in the years to come.

That's very optimistic, I'd say.

Originally Posted by el chupacabra

I hope he's on a paradise beach somewhere.

I hear the Carolina's are beautiful this time of... oh snap nevermind...

Lateralus · Aug 25, 2011, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by freudling

What brand would you jump to if Apple faded and sort of just died out?

A week ago it would have been HP...

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 12:55 AM

I'm sure I could live with any android phone as long as it synced to my computer (though I do prefer my iPhone). But if the question is about computers, the answer is none. You're either a Mac, or your not. And 'not' just doesn't cut it, now more than ever.

Athens · Aug 25, 2011, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by freudling

What brand would you jump to if Apple faded and sort of just died out?

Well considering I was sticking to Macs over Windows pre-steve jobs return I would probably stick it out for a long time to come even if Apple took a total nose dive. Now if it died out im left with Windows and since I already use Windows as well as far as brand goes, custom built the only way. Get more for your buck and exactly what you want, usually newer and better as well. Wouldn't touch any of the PC makers because they will still have a clue down the road at how to build good machines.

As for phone, Windows Mobile if it ever gets better, then Blackberry. I had high hopes for WebOS but that looks dead in the water now.

Lateralus · Aug 25, 2011, 01:16 AM

Are you not aware of Windows Phone? It's been out for sometime and it's quite nice.

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 01:20 AM

I would buy a Kin. I hear those are great.

imitchellg5 · Aug 25, 2011, 01:29 AM

Windows Phone 7 is pretty amazing. I really want a Windows Phone handset.

Don Pickett · Aug 25, 2011, 01:29 AM

Not surprised: it's been pretty obvious that Steve's been planning for this contingency for the last few years.

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 01:34 AM

I agree that they are probably just keeping him on the books so people don't fall out of love with Apple. "Softening the blow" so to speak. But if steve is too sick to run apple, he's probably very close to death, I would say. People like him don't decide to "take it easy".

That said, surely this has been in his mind since 2003. And when you put yourself in his shoes, putting your whole life into making this company as amazing as you possibly can, I would imagine that on the inside, he has been doing everything he can to make this company have as much longevity as possible. This is his legacy, the longer it lasts, the more amazing a job he did. My guess is that Apple keeps on keepin' on for a very long time to come even after Steve. Because my guess is that's exactly what he built it to do.

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 01:35 AM

On the other hand, Tim Cooke isn't exactly a kid either...

freudling · Aug 25, 2011, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by l008com

I agree that they are probably just keeping him on the books so people don't fall out of love with Apple. "Softening the blow" so to speak. But if steve is too sick to run apple, he's probably very close to death, I would say. People like him don't decide to "take it easy".

That said, surely this has been in his mind since 2003. And when you put yourself in his shoes, putting your whole life into making this company as amazing as you possibly can, I would imagine that on the inside, he has been doing everything he can to make this company have as much longevity as possible. This is his legacy, the longer it lasts, the more amazing a job he did. My guess is that Apple keeps on keepin' on for a very long time to come even after Steve. Because my guess is that's exactly what he built it to do.

Why do so many people just give the canned 1 liner like "here's hoping for many more great years." Does anybody out there understand the implications of this?

Steve Jobs is gone and he's not coming back. Apple is nothing without him. I think it's precisely the combination of his genius and cancer trying to kill him that he was able to take Apple to where it is today. He lived for no tomorrow.

Others don't operate like this. Tim Cook for instance is a stiff, and is getting on in years. He's not it. And that dork who heads up iOS development Scott Forstall isn't either.

There's tons of socially inept dorks in the tech industry and they don't have the skill or capacity to construct a vision as grand as those of Steve's and execute on them.

Your Apple is gone. The fact that they're so delayed on the iPhone 5 is, in my eyes, the beginning of the slow down sans Jobs.

Then people will come on and say: he built this great company! It's going to rock for years! Bullshit. The tech industry moves and changes fast. So does the world. Like Jobs said, he doesn't know what people will be using 5 years from now, that's what keeps him coming into work everyday.

But besides all this, nobody has his vision. Apple is going to get lost... guaranteed.

turtle777 · Aug 25, 2011, 03:08 AM

You're way too negative on this.

Look at MS, they have been lead by a monkey for years, and they still exist.
Apple has infinitely better talent than MS.

-t

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 03:08 AM

Agreed.

Paco500 · Aug 25, 2011, 04:01 AM

I think it is clear Steve Jobs does things the way he wants in his own time. That he is stepping down now is likely his decision for his own reasons, whatever they may be. It's possible his time is short. It's also possible his health is unchanged from when he took his last leave of absence but he is now thinks Apple is ready to run without him. I can see him having the importance and influence to stay on the Apple board as chairman even though they know he is about gone, but I have a harder time believing Disney would put up with it.

Also, if the move to chairman was all about minimizing the blow to the stock, wouldn't it have been better to get the bad news all out at once- leaving as chairman and CEO, focusing on family, will stay on as adviser? Stock will tank with this news- do you really think it's a good plan to let it tank again a few weeks later if they know he is about to die?

it may be the case as Steve does what Steve wants, but it would defy logic for most companies. Being a CEO of any major company is not easy- you don;t have to be on death's door for it to be too much to handle.

Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic. I hope not.

Paco500 · Aug 25, 2011, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by freudling

The fact that they're so delayed on the iPhone 5 is, in my eyes, the beginning of the slow down sans Jobs.

This is pure speculation. Apple, If you had not noticed, has moved away from the once a year release cycle they had been known for- moving it up in some cases, moving it back in others.

The iPhone 4 is still the best selling smart phone in the world- perhaps they don't really feel the need to release a new one 12 months on.

Doofy · Aug 25, 2011, 04:05 AM

Wait. A 56-year-old billionaire decides that he doesn't really want to work anymore and you're all ordering the coffin? Do ya not all think he might just want to sit on the back of a yacht and look at titties for a while?

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by Paco500

It's also possible his health is unchanged from when he took his last leave of absence but he is now thinks Apple is ready to run without him.

I definitely don't get that feeling from his letter.

Originally Posted by SteveJobs

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

Big Mac · Aug 25, 2011, 04:25 AM

Yeah, things don't sound good for SJ from the standpoint of earthly longevity.

Eug · Aug 25, 2011, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Wait. A 56-year-old billionaire decides that he doesn't really want to work anymore and you're all ordering the coffin? Do ya not all think he might just want to sit on the back of a yacht and look at titties for a while?

Unforunately, no.

It's obvious his health has deteriorated, and the wording of his letter to all of us is telling:

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come."

I think the best we can hope for is that although his health has deteriorated, it could be stable or improve now that he's stepped down. However, as others have suggested, that's an optimistic view.

freudling · Aug 25, 2011, 05:39 AM

I really wish I could be as optimistic as all you guys but I can't.

teresabush · Aug 25, 2011, 05:45 AM

Steve's health forced him to resign CEO, but his ambition/spirit will still live as a chairman.

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 05:49 AM

Hey anyone know Gil Amelio's phone number?

P · Aug 25, 2011, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Wan't Jony rumored to be looking elsewhere not too long ago?

IIRC, the rumor was that he wanted to move back to the UK but keep working for Apple from there. Apple said no, and there was some speculation in UK newspapers that he would resign and move back anyway. Nothing ever came of it, AFAIK.

P · Aug 25, 2011, 05:56 AM

What I read in to it is that he's not getting worse, but he's not getting better either, and that he has finally accepted that.

Jobs is remaining as Chairman of the Board (which I don't think he was before - I think they rotated that position) and "Apple employee". Any idea what his new title is? Chief Software Architect?

msuper69 · Aug 25, 2011, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

You're way too negative on this.

Look at MS, they have been lead by a monkey for years, and they still exist.
Apple has infinitely better talent than MS.

-t

LIke button pressed.

msuper69 · Aug 25, 2011, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by P

What I read in to it is that he's not getting worse, but he's not getting better either, and that he has finally accepted that.

Jobs is remaining as Chairman of the Board (which I don't think he was before - I think they rotated that position) and "Apple employee". Any idea what his new title is? Chief Software Architect?

I doubt he would be Chief Software Architect. Steve is not a technician.

l008com · Aug 25, 2011, 07:18 AM

In my opinion, the primary thing steve did was act as a filter. He didn't invent stuff, he sifted through other people's inventions, and picked the winners. Like De Niro in Casino.

Andy8 · Aug 25, 2011, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Do ya not all think he might just want to sit on the back of a yacht and look at titties for a while?

I really want to see an Apple designed superyacht.

Atheist · Aug 25, 2011, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by ort888

At any rate, what he provided was a singular voice. An end to the era of design by committee. The courage to make bold moves that most companies lack. None of what he did would have been possible without thousands of amazing people making the company go. Those people are still there.

I think this is the key. Without Steve there will be no single voice. As we've seen from recent keynotes, nobody has Jobs's flair or ability to induce awe. My fear is that over time, Apple will be run by committee and lose it's distinguishing characteristics. Let's hope Steve has been able to build an infrastructure and culture that remains without him in charge.

I'm sure some of you have read the blog entry by Vic Gundotra at Google recalling a phone call he got at home on a Sunday from Steve:

"So Vic, we have an urgent issue, one that I need addressed right away. I've already assigned someone from my team to help you, and I hope you can fix this tomorrow" said Steve. "I've been looking at the Google logo on the iPhone and I'm not happy with the icon. The second O in Google doesn't have the right yellow gradient. It's just wrong and I'm going to have Greg fix it tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

Do you think this kind of singular obsession will continue after Steve is gone?

The Final Dakar · Aug 25, 2011, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Wait. A 56-year-old billionaire decides that he doesn't really want to work anymore and you're all ordering the coffin? Do ya not all think he might just want to sit on the back of a yacht and look at titties for a while?

Um, no, not where Steve Jobs is concerned.

The Final Dakar · Aug 25, 2011, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by l008com

In my opinion, the primary thing steve did was act as a filter. He didn't invent stuff, he sifted through other people's inventions, and picked the winners. Like De Niro in Casino.

I think he acted more like a compass.

Quick someone else pick an object he acted like!

Eug · Aug 25, 2011, 08:52 AM

AAPL has picked up since yesterday. It's down only about 2.5% pre-market.

Spheric Harlot · Aug 25, 2011, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

I think he acted more like a compass.

Quick someone else pick an object he acted like!

I think he acted more like a bottle of Weed Whacker.

"Hell hath no fury like iWhack unleashed!"

Waragainstsleep · Aug 25, 2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by ort888

Part of me actually thinks the current Apple might be better off without Steve Jobs. We've seen his vision for a while now, I'm interested in seeing someone with a more compromising attitude toward some things would be. I'll explain more later.

Compromising attitude = design by committee.

Apple is Apple because Steve didn't compromise. If a product didn't work well enough, it got held back until it was finished or shelved until the technology required caught up to the idea. EVERY other company out there would have patched it up as best they could and sold it anyway.

What Steve actually does/did more recently is not really the hard part, its getting into a position where the other necessary people will let you do it. It isn't difficult to tell an accountant that he is a retard because it will only cost 25 cents per MacBook Air to add another 10 USB ports, or even to know that you should. Its being able to do that without getting overruled or sacked by the board or the shareholders. Its about respect as much as anything.

voodoo · Aug 25, 2011, 09:50 AM

Steve is still president of the board and director - he's not gone. He can hire and fire CEOs at will - so he's in control when he wants to.

Apple will do fine in the short run.

P · Aug 25, 2011, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

I doubt he would be Chief Software Architect. Steve is not a technician.

It was a joke. Chief Software Architect was Bill Gates' title at MS after he resigned as CEO but stayed on as Chairman of the Board.

msuper69 · Aug 25, 2011, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by P

It was a joke. Chief Software Architect was Bill Gates' title at MS after he resigned as CEO but stayed on as Chairman of the Board.

An emoticon would have been useful. I can't read his mind over the Internet, can I?

Eug · Aug 25, 2011, 11:08 AM

One of CNN Money's pundits called it back in 2008: Cook as CEO, and Jobs as Chairman of the Board, despite the fact no such position existed at the time.

The genius behind Steve (pg. 4) - Nov. 10, 2008

I also like this story about Cook, but I have no idea how much truth there is to it:

Tim cook arrived at Apple in 1998 from Compaq Computer. He was a 16-year computer-industry veteran - he'd worked for IBM (IBM, Fortune 500) for 12 of those years - with a mandate to clean up the atrocious state of Apple's manufacturing, distribution, and supply apparatus. One day back then, he convened a meeting with his team, and the discussion turned to a particular problem in Asia.

"This is really bad," Cook told the group. "Someone should be in China driving this." Thirty minutes into that meeting Cook looked at Sabih Khan, a key operations executive, and abruptly asked, without a trace of emotion, "Why are you still here?"

Khan, who remains one of Cook's top lieutenants to this day, immediately stood up, drove to San Francisco International Airport, and, without a change of clothes, booked a flight to China with no return date, according to people familiar with the episode. The story is vintage Cook: demanding and unemotional.

OreoCookie · Aug 25, 2011, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

An emoticon would have been useful. I can't read his mind over the Internet, can I?

Just shows you're not nerdy enough.

The Final Dakar · Aug 25, 2011, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

One of CNN Money's pundits called it back in 2008: Cook as CEO, and Jobs as Chairman of the Board, despite the fact no such position existed at the time.

The genius behind Steve (pg. 4) - Nov. 10, 2008

I also like this story about Cook, but I have no idea how much truth there is to it:

Tim cook arrived at Apple in 1998 from Compaq Computer. He was a 16-year computer-industry veteran - he'd worked for IBM (IBM, Fortune 500) for 12 of those years - with a mandate to clean up the atrocious state of Apple's manufacturing, distribution, and supply apparatus. One day back then, he convened a meeting with his team, and the discussion turned to a particular problem in Asia.

"This is really bad," Cook told the group. "Someone should be in China driving this." Thirty minutes into that meeting Cook looked at Sabih Khan, a key operations executive, and abruptly asked, without a trace of emotion, "Why are you still here?"

Khan, who remains one of Cook's top lieutenants to this day, immediately stood up, drove to San Francisco International Airport, and, without a change of clothes, booked a flight to China with no return date, according to people familiar with the episode. The story is vintage Cook: demanding and unemotional.

Obviously Cook is an android Steve built to take over. We're in good hands.

Eug · Aug 25, 2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Obviously Cook is an android Steve built to take over. We're in good hands.

The Final Dakar · Aug 25, 2011, 11:25 AM

How dare you.

Eug · Aug 25, 2011, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

How dare you.

Hey, you said it, not me.

Gankdawg · Aug 25, 2011, 12:30 PM

Will he live to see the Mother Ship be built?

olePigeon · Aug 25, 2011, 12:57 PM

Look at this way, if Apple goes back to 1990s level of marketshare and leadership, we'll be the underdogs again and MacNN will be useful.

Doofy · Aug 25, 2011, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Unforunately, no.

It's obvious his health has deteriorated, and the wording of his letter to all of us is telling:

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come."

Telling of what? If you decided to spend the rest of your life motorboating pretty young ladies, you wouldn't be able to meet the duties and expectations expected of a large company's CEO either.

You guys are way too negative.