Steve Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple

[Stuntman]

When you look at the history of Apple, it's success seems to be tied to Jobs/Woz. When both were running it, it was extremely successful. Then Woz left and Jobs got forced out. The company floundered and flopped and that's being generous. They got propped up by MS just because MS didn't want to deal with regulators saying they had a monopoly on the market.

My understanding of the MS-Apple relationship is that MS used some code developed by Apple. Apple was suing MS for patent infringement. It didn't help MS's case when one tech in MS actually said he used Apple code. MS was on the verge of losing the law suit and decided to settle. MS paid Apple a bunch of money and in the transaction, MS bought a bunch of non-voting Apple shares. They had a big PR announcement to make MS not look like the bad guy. The PR announcement was successful because many people thought that MS basically bailed out Apple to avoid regulators instead.

 

[Black Rose]

History shows that life goes on after a leadership change.

You obviously haven't been following HP news lately

 

[BiggestManEver]

History shows that life goes on after a leadership change.

Except...for the last time Jobs left the company.

 

[El Presidente]

Except...for the last time Jobs left the company.

I'd say they're in a much better position now than they were the last time though.

 

[A.Nonymous]

I'd say they're in a much better position now than they were the last time though.

Probably true enough. When Jobs left the first time Apple was a successful underdog in the PC world. They were the little guy. After he left, the parade of CEOS basically ran the business into the ground. Now Apple is no longer the little guy. They are the evil empire running everything under their tyrannical fist. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Edit: If you look at Apple's most successful products from a historical perspective - The Apple II, the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad, etc.... they've all been the product of Jobs leadership.

 

[xmr405o]

The iPhone 6 & the iPad 4?

Seriously though, that is a good question; what's left for them to innovate? Maybe a tablet/phone hybrid?

I don't think this is doom and gloom for apple, but if I was an investor, I might be slightly concerned unless they have something very clever up their sleeves.

He has been ill for a while, it's probably down to that. As much as I'm not a fan of the guy, I don't wish bad of him and you can't really argue with what he's done for tech in general.

Don't remember this??? Apple's future Ipad and possibly iphone.

 

[Stuntman]

The first time that Jobs left, he was forced out by people who did not share his vision. Those people continued to run the company nearly into the ground in Jobs' absence.

This time around, there is a much smoother transition. Jobs clearly endorces Tim Cook as the new CEO. I don't think Jobs would have endorced any of the other CEO's during his first absence. Cook has ran the company during Jobs' recent medical leaves. He seemed to have been groomed to take over as CEO for some time now. The only thing Cook hasn't done is dress up in a black turtle neck and jeans to give a presentation or make an announcement.

I think that losing Jobs is still a loss for Apple. You cannot replace someone as rare as that. You simply have to plan for such a transition when it happens as best you can. I think Apple has done as best they can to move on without Jobs at the helm.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Look at it this way. Ballmer and Gates basically have the same kind of vision on where they wanted to take MS. Ballmer is a business guy though and Gates is a visionary type and MS under Ballmer reflects that I think. I don't know much about Cook and I'm sure he's completely and totally capable of running the day to day operations of Apple. I really doubt he's the same kind of visionary leader that Jobs is though.

 

[noah way]

Look at it this way. Ballmer and Gates basically have the same kind of vision on where they wanted to take MS. Ballmer is a business guy though and Gates is a visionary type and MS under Ballmer reflects that I think. I don't know much about Cook and I'm sure he's completely and totally capable of running the day to day operations of Apple. I really doubt he's the same kind of visionary leader that Jobs is though.

Gates a visionary? LOL.

Gates didn't invent anything. He bought CPM-DOS and sold it to IBM, giving them unrestricted use. Later he licensed it to others on a per-PC basis. Windows is - and always has been - a bad copy of the Apple OS. Every MS product from software to music players (and now phones) is a catch-up-to-the-market copy or direct rip-off of something else.

 

[Martimus]

Gates a visionary? LOL.

Gates didn't invent anything. He bought CPM-DOS and sold it to IBM, giving them unrestricted use. Later he licensed it to others on a per-PC basis. Windows is - and always has been - a bad copy of the Apple OS. Every MS product from software to music players (and now phones) is a catch-up-to-the-market copy or direct rip-off of something else.

Hmm... and what percentage of the market does Micro$oft hold? And what percentage of the market does Apple hold?

Assuming we believe a market survey company (Gartner), MS held 78.6% of the market in 2010. MAC OS, even with the most growth in the segment, held 1.7% of the market.

Gartner Says Worldwide Operating System Software Market Grew to $30.4 Billion in 2010

Steve Jobs is both more intelligent and more arrogant than Bill Gates... That said he has, in the past, suffered from tunnel vision. In my opinion, and this is only opinion, had he allowed MAC OS to be a more open Operating System, M$ might not be king of the hill of the personal computer market!

 

[noah way]

Hmm... and what percentage of the market does Micro$oft hold? And what percentage of the market does Apple hold?

If money is the measure, Apple has more cash than Microsoft.

The fact remains that Gates didn't create any products. I don't consider someone who makes tons of money a visionary, especially when they made that money by copying other people's work, manipulating markets, etc.

 

[Martimus]

If money is the measure, Apple has more cash than Microsoft.

The fact remains that Gates didn't create any products. I don't consider someone who makes tons of money a visionary, especially when they made that money by copying other people's work, manipulating markets, etc.

You are correct that Jobs is more of a visionary than Gates... and Gates has more money than Jobs. But I give Gates serious props for the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation". They give away billions of dollars to worthy causes. What about the Steve Jobs foundation? Oh wait there isn't one...

The $600 Billion Challenge: Time for Steve Jobs to Start Donating | Change.org News

Maybe I've got my head in the clouds but I still believe it's more important in life to do for others. And in that regard, I think Bill Gates is a much better man than Steve Jobs...

 

[El Presidente]

Windows is - and always has been - a bad copy of the Apple OS.

My limited knowledge of both companies history is based off the Film Pirates of Silicon Valley so feel free to flame me if this is wrong

Didn't Apple steal the idea for their first MAC from Xerox?

 

[A.Nonymous]

If money is the measure, Apple has more cash than Microsoft.

The fact remains that Gates didn't create any products. I don't consider someone who makes tons of money a visionary, especially when they made that money by copying other people's work, manipulating markets, etc.

IBM came to Gates with the idea of putting a computer in every home in America. At that time, computer were huge clunky things that literally took up an entire desk and were limited mainly to enterprise. Gates realized how great the idea was and went out and bought an OS himself in order to sell it to IBM. The rest is history.

How is it not visionary to take a company running out of your garage that doesn't even have an OS and turn it into the juggernaut that it is today? The article that Martimus linked to doesn't even do it justice really. The 78.6% is the server market share. If you talk about consumer market share, MS is around 90% even when you include mobile OS's like Android and iOS and that's measured by visits to web sites. If you measure just market share on desktops/laptops, Windows is closer to 95%. Apple is not even a factor in any of those markets in terms of market share.

Apple products have the highest profit margins in the industry. That's where their money comes from. MS makes it's money with lower profit margins, but by selling their product to everyone. Their OS dominates. There is no realistic competitor out there for Office really. The XBox is hugely popular. Gates was the visionary that started all of this.

 

[A.Nonymous]

You are correct that Jobs is more of a visionary than Gates... and Gates has more money than Jobs. But I give Gates serious props for the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation". They give away billions of dollars to worthy causes. What about the Steve Jobs foundation? Oh wait there isn't one...

The $600 Billion Challenge: Time for Steve Jobs to Start Donating | Change.org News

Maybe I've got my head in the clouds but I still believe it's more important in life to do for others. And in that regard, I think Bill Gates is a much better man than Steve Jobs...

I'll never knock a guy for not giving. It's his money. He worked hard for it. He earned it honestly. If he chooses to stuff it in his mattress and sleep on it, that's his business.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud Gates and anyone else who chooses to give money away. It's certainly a noble undertaking and I don't knock them for it either. I'm not going to criticize someone for keeping all the money they worked hard for though.

 

[jroc]

You are correct that Jobs is more of a visionary than Gates... and Gates has more money than Jobs. But I give Gates serious props for the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation". They give away billions of dollars to worthy causes. What about the Steve Jobs foundation? Oh wait there isn't one...

The $600 Billion Challenge: Time for Steve Jobs to Start Donating | Change.org News

Maybe I've got my head in the clouds but I still believe it's more important in life to do for others. And in that regard, I think Bill Gates is a much better man than Steve Jobs...

Jobs and Gates...Jobs and Gates....

If this was years ago when Gates was still involved with MS, from a technology standpoint I probably would give it to Jobs when there are polls like "which is better?" just for the fact the Apple does hardware or more of it than MS.

At this point in time....Gates would get the nod in that type of poll.

But for real...I wouldnt even wanna choose between the 2 now. They both left their own mark in the tech world. Ballmer on the other hand is a joke..

All this and I dont really want or like Apple products and love Windows OS.

This reminds me of this thread:

http://androidforums.com/lounge/278626-steve-ballmer-vs-steve-jobs-better.html

As you can see....that was a no brainer....lol

IBM came to Gates with the idea of putting a computer in every home in America. At that time, computer were huge clunky things that literally took up an entire desk and were limited mainly to enterprise. Gates realized how great the idea was and went out and bought an OS himself in order to sell it to IBM. The rest is history.

How is it not visionary to take a company running out of your garage that doesn't even have an OS and turn it into the juggernaut that it is today? The article that Martimus linked to doesn't even do it justice really. The 78.6% is the server market share. If you talk about consumer market share, MS is around 90% even when you include mobile OS's like Android and iOS and that's measured by visits to web sites. If you measure just market share on desktops/laptops, Windows is closer to 95%. Apple is not even a factor in any of those markets in terms of market share.

Apple products have the highest profit margins in the industry. That's where their money comes from. MS makes it's money with lower profit margins, but by selling their product to everyone. Their OS dominates. There is no realistic competitor out there for Office really. The XBox is hugely popular. Gates was the visionary that started all of this.

You make a good point. Thats why trying to say who is better, more of a visionary is a waste IMO. They both are. In their own respective ways.

Part of Google's game plan with Android is taken almost directly from Microsoft. And so far its working.

 

[Bob Maxey]

To make money in the stock market, you buy when everyone is selling, and sell when everyone is buying. At the end of the day tomorrow, Apple stock should look like a pretty good deal.

And do not forget selling short. If I shorted Apple stock, I would really want it to go down in price or I make not much. Not likely to happen over the long term, so go long, my brothers.

 

[jamor]

Just when we thought those garbage Apple products couldn't get any worse. Then Steve Jobs quits.. lol!

 

[gvillager]

I hope this isn't really him. He looks really sick.

Steve Jobs -- After the Resignation | TMZ.com

 

[melissapugs]

Saw the above today - read he has pancreatic cancer on something more reputable, which makes the news just sad - that is one of the most horrific ways to die.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Saw the above today - read he has pancreatic cancer on something more reputable, which makes the news just sad - that is one of the most horrific ways to die.

He's had pancreatic cancer for some time. It's very well known. It's sad to see his health decline this way.

 

[lordofthereef]

I have little to add other than that anything that is currently being said about the future of Apple is pure conjecture. They took a huge dive when Job's left (or was forced out, whatever) once. I would like to note that this was under completely different circumstances though. It is foolish (IMO) to assume this HAS to happen again, that somehow this company cannot survive without Steve. I think Jobs is given far too much credit for the daily happenings at Apple. Apple isn't Steve Jobs, he is just a big part of it and hopefully his shoes will be properly filled. Only time will tell.

 

[eriku16]

Apple = Steve Jobs, Steve Jobs = Apple. His influence today is orders of magnitude different than the time he got fired in the 80's. Apple will not be the same when he is gone. You can count on it.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Apple = Steve Jobs, Steve Jobs = Apple. His influence today is orders of magnitude different than the time he got fired in the 80's. Apple will not be the same when he is gone. You can count on it.

A few comments.

Jobs is not dead. Some people on other lists want a national 'Dress like Steve Jobs Day" to honor him. They act as though he has died. He simply left Apple for medical reasons and has been replaced by Tim Cook. It happens all the time.

Steve is not necessarily leaving Apple. He will likely influence Apple for some time to come. I certainly wish him well, but I suspect he will still be a powerfully influence on Apple, even though he is officially resigned.

I expect until Steve Jobs passes on, he will be an important player at Apple. Tim Cook's Consigliere, if you will.

Now, when Mr. Jobs dies, what happens then? Will Jobs be completely forgotten when it comes to profits and the bottom line? Or is Mr. Jobs the one CEO that will rule Apple from the grave. Like no Flash forever and only one phone model per year Vs. a large corporate mentality that wants to make Apple into just another technology company by releasing a phone a month that runs Flash.

 

[lordofthereef]

Apple = Steve Jobs, Steve Jobs = Apple. His influence today is orders of magnitude different than the time he got fired in the 80's. Apple will not be the same when he is gone. You can count on it.

Will not be the same? I believe you. And I would count on it. Change CEOs, and you will see differences, no matter how small. Some people seem to think this somehow automatically dooms Apple to failure. I think that is just plain silly.