Former Apple CEO
It’s pretty difficult to not have heard the news yesterday that Apple’s CEO and founder, Steve Jobs, has resigned as CEO and although no specific reason was given, it’s safe to assume it’s due to his poor health.
As a huge Apple fan, I couldn’t let that event go unnoticed and without comment. You either love or hate Apple, and I’m of course aware Mr Jobs has a reputation for being hard to work with, but you can’t argue that Steve Jobs has worked a miracle at Apple during his second stint at the helm of the company he started, way back in 1976. They were close to bankruptcy back in 1997 and earlier this month, just 14 years later, Apple briefly over took Exxon to become the most valuable company on the planet.
He came back, hired British designer Johnathan Ive and together they came up with most of the new products since the iMac (everyone remember that?). Oh and they also came up with a music playing devise call an iPod! Fast forward to 2011 and we have iPhones and iPads. All great products.
Another design classic
Does everyone remember how the iPad was mocked by so many when it first came out by people who said it was just an oversized iPod Touch. But now, walk on to any plane and you’ll see row upon row of passengers with their iPads out, watching movies on its big screen, reading books on Amazon’s Kindle for iPad app, reading many of the iPad magazine editions, or just playing Angry Birds. I’m certain many of the people who mocked the product are now proud owners!
No longer boring - The boiled sweet coloured original iMac
So now he’s officially stepped down and Tim Cook takes over. Will Apple be the same after Jobs? Or will it follow the same direction it did the last time he left? I think that’s a question only time will tell. But I’m hoping his legacy continues and Apple continues to make products that make our lives that much more convenient and enjoyable.
Thank you Steve, I wish you well.
What a remarkable career. There was a time when the only people you’d ever see with a Mac were in either music or film/design. Now they are everywhere.
They brought his autobiography forward too. He’ll be dead in 6 months.
You only don’t like Apple if you haven’t got one! As you as you get one, you never go back!
Great puff piece WoAi. Your stock options are in the post.
@swiss: lolworthy but probably true.
@Rich – Yep. And especially in Shanghai. You go to some places and everyone has an iPhone on the table.
@Wiseman – I know. My iPhone went in for repair a few weeks ago and I switched back to my Nokia and boy did I miss the iPhone even though it was just 2 days. Every time I wanted to check something I realised I couldn’t.
@Swiss – That’s not nice!
@Chris – Thanks. Let’s hope the stock is still worth something by the time I get some.
Don’t want to say I told you so, but…
@Swiss – It was 6 weeks. You overshot by quite a way!