Steve Jobs resigns

Sad Professor · 27-08-2011 12:34PM

Afaik he beat the cancer, but is now dealing with the complications arising from the liver transplant/treatment. Although it's possible the cancer has returned.

opinion guy · 27-08-2011 01:30PM

Freddie59 wrote: »

In all fairness, he is not just 'one person'. He is a driving force, innovative beyond compare, with a dynamism that will be very difficult (if not impossible) to replace.

To be honest with you I don't believe this. I've never believed this. in a company this size, with tech so advanced not one person is so critical. I believe Apple have cultivated this image, the 'cult of jobs' if you will. I reckon when he came back to Apple the marketing people cottoned on that the fans liked him. They liked the story of the ousted leader returning to save the company and they promoted this view point.

In reality I think he has been sick for the last couple of years. He has had liver transplant and chemo etc (presumably). He can't have been as actively involved during this time.

Sad Professor · 27-08-2011 01:51PM

How would the marketing people have created that perception? Look at the first Mac and then look at the iPod, iPad, iPhone. There's a very particular Jobsian stamp on those products that was absent in the years he was gone. As an operation, Apple will continue as before. But there's no denying the enormous influence Jobs had on Apple products. For all his skills as a salesman and leader, he was a brilliant product innovator. It's that element Apple will have the hardest time replacing.

opinion guy · 27-08-2011 02:14PM

Sad Professor wrote: »

How would the marketing people have created that perception? Look at the first Mac and then look at the iPod, iPad, iPhone. There's a very particular Jobsian stamp on those products that was absent in the years he was gone. As an operation, Apple will continue as before. But there's no denying the enormous influence Jobs had on Apple products. For all his skills as a salesman and leader, he was a brilliant product innovator. It's that element Apple will have the hardest time replacing.

Yeah but this idea that they are all his work is wrong.
He sat down a bunch of people and gave them the idea - they then went off and did the work. Do you have any idea how many people would be involved in designing, developing and bringing to market something like an ipod or an iphone - because I do. Hundreds to thousands, possible 5 figure number even.
Even at that - there is some other design guru at apple whos name escapes me - some English guy - who did alot of the design for iphone, ipad etc.
Jobs genius if you want - like all leaders of successful IT companies, is not to be in his shed tinkering on circuit boards, but instead its to hire the right guy to do that for you.

Sad Professor · 27-08-2011 02:26PM

Of course he didn't make them himself. A film director doesn't make a movie by himself either. But many directors have such a strong vision that they are considered the auteurs of the films they direct. That doesn't take away from everyone else's contribution as it is still a collaboration, but it suggests that that person had a critical and defining influence on the finished result. I think Jobs had a similar influence on Apple products.

The design guy you mentioned is Jony Ive. He's certainly been a very important part of Apple's success in recent years, as has Cook. But I don't think either of them are the product guy that Jobs was.

Dman001 · 27-08-2011 02:38PM

To be honest, I think it was the combination of Ives and Jobs that put Apple where it is. As a team they made fantastic products, but I don't think either are as strong on their own.

28-08-2011 03:01PM

I dont think Ive would be working half as well in any other company (ie without jobs letting him have so much freedom) because he wouldn't be allowed in any other company to have as much control to make what he makes never mind the money.

opinion guy · 28-08-2011 03:13PM

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

I dont think Ive would be working half as well in any other company (ie without jobs letting him have so much freedom) because he wouldn't be allowed in any other company to have as much control to make what he makes never mind the money.

Well this is what I'm saying - the genius of people like Jobs is in recognising the right people like Ives and giving them freedom to do what they do in as much as it is being a visionary himself. That being the case - Apple is not dependent on Jobs as he has put the right people in place around him

28-08-2011 04:13PM

Yes, the question is does Tim Cook have the same ability?

Ie will Apple continue on past the next 10+ years innovating when the current people maybe move on and Jobs road map begins fading out.

opinion guy · 28-08-2011 04:21PM

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

Yes, the question is does Tim Cook have the same ability?

Ie will Apple continue on past the next 10+ years innovating when the current people maybe move on and Jobs road map begins fading out.

To be honest if you ask me Apple have already lost their way and its partly down to Jobs. The way they treat app developers, the banning of flash, the imposition of App store on people for latest OS etc etc. They have become like Microsoft of the late 90's. I believe they are at their peak now regardless of Steve's health issues.

Dman001 · 28-08-2011 06:27PM

opinion guy wrote: »

To be honest if you ask me Apple have already lost their way and its partly down to Jobs. The way they treat app developers, the banning of flash, the imposition of App store on people for latest OS etc etc. They have become like Microsoft of the late 90's. I believe they are at their peak now regardless of Steve's health issues.

Wasn't this always Apple's method though? To create a seamless experience through restriction? Like OSX only available on Macs, iPod only syncs with iTunes etc. This was Jobs' method since his return, and one could argue it got where Apple is now.

dannyreillyboy · 01-09-2011 11:20PM

opinion guy wrote: »

To be honest if you ask me Apple have already lost their way and its partly down to Jobs. The way they treat app developers, the banning of flash, the imposition of App store on people for latest OS etc etc. They have become like Microsoft of the late 90's. I believe they are at their peak now regardless of Steve's health issues.

I have been reading your posts and am really bemused by them but the post above is the most ridiculous. How have Apple lost their way, it is commonly known that Apple 'lost' their way when they last lost Steve Jobs and it is only since he returned that they have returned to the dizzying heights that they last encountered back in the 70/80s. Apple have always been proprietary under Jobs and they have always controlled the openness of their hardware/software. I don't think this ethos has changed in recent years. If you want an open marketplace for apps then go with Android. We are in the era of apps, why not make people buy online through the app store. It is not only the future, it is the present way to buy digital content. It actually makes way more sense to sell it this way and means a fairer deal for all as Apple save on distribution costs and the consumer saves on overall price!

But your statement that Apple are like the Microsoft of the early 90's? What type of reasoning did you employ to conclude that?

Also, I think its more a case of you 'wanting' Apple to be at their peak! There is absolutely no doubt that Jobs is the key person in their recent success, and it is vision and drive that has brought us these revolutionary products. If you are aware of the products Apple have released over the years, you will find Steve Jobs stamped all over them. Of course its not 'all' his work but go read up about the corporate structure, the 'flat' management structure, the small independent teams, the culture.....all built around a vision, Jobs Vision!

Steve Jobs resigns

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