Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO - Page 7

you mean, total bullshit?

Yeah, that's exactly how I felt when I read it. Shocked, sad.

Please shut the fuck up.

Shocked and sad to have seen this news this morning.
I wish Steve the best of all and thank him for what he has done for us.
Take care Steve!

"Total" seems like such a harsh word ... perhaps "utter and unconditional" would bespeak the mood better.

Maybe I should not be surprised, but I am. I was really hoping that his health was improving, but this says it's not.

Hopefully Steve will have many years if not decades of health and happiness after this news. Our lives are better because of his vision & ambition.

Lot of talented people work at Apple. But the shoes they have to fill; could you imagine.

I do wonder what product or idea in the pipeline that Steve has given his final treatment....

Thanks Steve. You're great. Wish you all the best.

What makes you think he is retiring?

I want to talk about Ken Silverman!

When we opened out Sunnyvale Store in 1978, Ken Silverman appeared one day. Ken seemed to know everyone in the exploding world of microcomputers. Ken may have been a manufacturers' rep -- he would reappear every week, or so, he was great guy but never, never, bought anything (we were struggling to be profitable in this new world),

Ken was a rather debonaire bachelor -- and dated a very attractive girl (sorry I don't remember her name, as I only met her once).

Ken's girl was involved in optics, and Woz got her to make some Apple Eyeglasses:



When there were only 2 pairs of these glasses in existence -- Woz's pair and a second pair with an optical defect, I conned Ken into letting me borrow the defective pair for an IBM Pig Roast party... all went well and the glasses were returned, intact.

Here's the nut. Sometime after that, Ken came into our store and asked if My wife Lucy and I would attend his wedding. We were honored and we did!

After the ceremony I was kidding Ken -- how a confirmed bachelor, like himself was finally getting married...

I remember his answer as if he were here today, Ken said that his wife was dying of cancer -- with a prognosis of 6 months to live, He and his wife had agreed to marry so that her 2 children, from a prior marriage, would grow up in a family...

We were in the hotbed of micro/personal computers, in Silicon Valley, from 1978-1989.

Ken's is the most compelling act that I remember.

Steve knew Ken, Crazy Marty, Cap'n Krunch, and many others...

In life, people do what they are destined to do...

You would think that Steve had died. Not so, and this is a great day! He can now relax and live a little and if anyone has deserved that, Steve has in spades!

My husband is CFO of the local Monterey Bay Goodwill, he is not even CEO and only for just a small chunk of a huge company. He works all of the time. He gets up in the morning before I do and comes home well after dark most every day. He reads the paper a little in the evening then it starts all over (sometimes spilling over to the whole weekend). Steve Job's responsibilities are exponentially larger by far. Who can live like that forever? Who the hell would want to?

Congratulations Steve on your return to being chairman of the board (note that was his original job at Apple) Please, please relax and enjoy your family and loved ones. Your health is so precious so take care. I wish you nothing but joyful days and a long life. If it wasn't for Apple I would have never touched a computer, but who can resist a smiling startup screen? And now I make my livelihood as a graphic and web designer, my only tools are Macs and my imagination. You have changed my life and I am grateful forever.

I do think Steve will continue to have input at Apple and Tim will be doing the hard work in the trenches (bless you TIm), so all is good.

As to Apple stock, I bought 100 shares when it was at $80, those advising me at the time where saying that was the most I should get, I have been kicking myself since, I knew I should get more (I was going to buy when Apple was almost bankrupt, but I was totally poor at that time myself, so I bought the first chance I could) I have believed in Apple from the beginning and through its darkest days. So maybe if stock falls again (though it will never see the lows such as $10 per share or even $80 per share ever again, unless it splits) I will certainly buy more, tomorrow!!!

Love you Steve Jobs, be well!!

It was expected. I hope Steve Jobs spends some quality time for the reminder of his life doing something else other than spearheading Apple.

God bless you Steve. Glad your still staying on. I have every confidence in Tim Cook.

So does this mean flash support and removable batteries finally?

Thanks Steve for leading your vision of Apple, from the phenomenal 'i' products to the exemplary customer service. You will forever be an icon to the tech world. Best of luck in all your future decisions and Godspeed to your health.

like iQuit.

Things didn't go so well last time he stepped down......

Let me preface my comment by saying that I am an Android fan, but I don't hate Apple or iOS, I am not here to bash it, Steve Jobs, or you - its community. I feel that we can disagree on our choice of platforms without being disagreeable. I personally disagree with a lot of posts on AppleInsider, I feel that sometimes news is slanted to be too "pro-Apple" and "anti-Anything That Isn't Apple" and that it drives the fanboyism on both sides that I hate. I follow Android and Apple news alike because I love tech of all kinds, and I don't want to unilaterally make a decision to support a product without knowing all I can about alternatives.

I have mixed feelings about this announcement. Unquestionably, Steve Jobs played a large role in revolutionizing the way we interact with our phones and bringing the internet and mobile computing to our fingertips. The release of the iPhone helped drive the mainstreaming of the smartphone market. On the flip side, I don't find him agreeable as a person, and I feel he is the embodiment of a level of corporate arrogance at Apple. His controlling nature with regards to iOS and his public comments and actions have turned me off to Apple devices, which is a shame since I do feel that it has great design and many strengths. I do not fault anyone for liking iOS devices, but they aren't for me, and I would be lying if I said that Steve Jobs wasn't a factor in my feelings towards iOS. I hope this will bring some level of change at Apple and that they innovate and become more open to alternate ways of using the Platform, and continue to compete in the market rather than try to stifle competition through litigation.

I believe that both Android and iOS can thrive in the market and that the presence, growth and success of both platforms will drive both Google and Apple to give us better products and further the development of even better technology as a whole. I hope and believe that many of you feel the same. I don't beleive the mobile OS market has to be a one size fits all type of deal. It shouldn't be, as competition spurs innovation. Apple is a brilliant company, and I have no doubt it will continue to create great products and help move technology forward.

If this announcement is due to his health, I wish him the best and for a full recovery. I lost my uncle to pancreatic cancer and its a brutal disease.

Finally, to anyone claiming to be an Android fan and cheering this announcement or his potential poor health, grow the f*ck up. People like you make our community look bad and frankly wishing ill health upon someone over a mobile OS makes you a poor excuse for a human being.

Steve Jobs was the driving force behind one of the most influential technology companies of the modern age, and we all lose a bit for not having him in it.

A truly great man in an industry full of pygmies (with apologies to the pygmies).

Eric Schmidt put it best: "Steve Jobs is the most successful CEO in the U.S. of the last 25 years. He uniquely combined an artist's touch and an engineer's vision to build an extraordinary company... One of the greatest American leaders in history."

I am sure he loved being iCEO and this must have been a hard decision.

I will probably start to drift away from Apple now. My main reason for following the company so closely (such as visiting rumour sites) was because of him, a chance to watch a genius at work.

At the very least, I have watched my last Apple Event.

Not for me if his greatest legacy yet - and knowing his track record, I believe - is iCook!

I read a lot of people are putting SJ on an unassailable pedestal. Sure he has intelligence and perhaps most significantly, charisma, but he isn't flawless. For instance I have read that it took a lot of convincing to make him realise the potential of the iPod. And he did disastrously hire John Sculley as Apple CEO, who had previously sold sugared water.

But that charisma was used to move things along, especially when decisions were made on very grey matters. It was useful in suppressing feelings of doubt and that provides some comfort in uncertain waters.

I thought the first iMac was interestingly different, but plug ugly. It was Steve's charisma that convinced many to regard it as beautiful - and acceptable even without a floppy disk drive - gasp! There are few others who have that power to persuade in the face of remarkable change. His charismatic weight is so useful when it comes to persuasion and the stock market is recognising that fact with the current market value down some $17 billion I hear.

As to his key notes, in recent years I have always been more impressed with the delivery of Scott Forstall.

I feel for the future leaders of Apple. I think in the future we will often here "What would Steve had done?", and that will be very hard to manage. They will have to operate under the shadow of SJ. Who's going to want a job like that?

Just like, say, the Beatles, Steve's persona has been 'infatuatingly' aggrandised by often sycophantic worldwide media exposure.

Such an expected shock to read this news today.

As a programmer in 1984 working with green scrolling text on black screens every day, when I saw the Macintosh I thought it was an April fool's joke or something. Then I took a "Macintosh Test Drive" and my partner and I bought a Macintosh there and then (at £2,500 including B&W dot matrix printer!).

I would never use my own money to buy any computer other than Apple and despite some wobbly moments in the 90s I have been so impressed and pleased and more over the years. In a world where every company, and not just in tech, seems to rarely present an original idea but just makes more of the same, Apple's boldness, vision and originality under Steve have been a total inspiration. Steve is a man who took the rule book and threw it away and created a company which is the envy of the world.

And it's not just Steve the businessman, but Steve the man too. If you haven't seen it, I strongly urge you to watch his Stanford Address ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc ) because it gives an insight into the heart and mind of a truly great man. I cry every time I watch it.

I'm sure Tim Cook knows just what needs to be done. He's not Steve, obviously, but nobody else could be. The future for Apple will be different, but I'm sure that Steve's outlook, vision, obsession and focus on detail and user experience will have been absorbed into everyone who works for Apple.

And Steve, I wish you the best of health, time your family and friends and the space to enjoy what you have helped to create for as long as possible.

Watch this space.

Hoping Steve the best as he deals with his health issues and leaving (as CEO) the company he loves. This must have been a heart-breaking decision for him.

He and Apple changed our lives forever, even if you have never owned an Apple product. There will be those who bash him, but he left his mark on their ives, too.

Hopefully, he can stay on for many years in some capacity to continue giving his incredible input to the company.

I must admit, I expected this as did everyone else, but I expected it, shortly after Apple announced something new and exciting, so that the stock / company / shareholders won't have taken such a hit.

I say this with the utmost admiration for Apple and Steve Jobs, and his / their knowledge of rumors and such. He / they are geniuses at what they do. And we ALL know, that had they made a big announcement without Steve, Apple would have looked more in control. He could have made this announcement by saying something like.

"Well as you can all see, Apple the company is in great hands with Tim Cook and crew." "They are visionaries blah, blah, blah". It's at this time, that I see fit, to turn the rains over to Tim Cook and I will sit back, relax and start spending time playing with some of the greatest toys I have had the pleasure of being part of. Check me out on Facebook, let's talk."

I have been an Apple Fan and users since the mid 70's. I purchase stock when it was UNDER $20.00 a share, My office is still a Mac ONLY shop. I am the founder and past President of LA MUG, so believe me when I say, NONE of this was might with malice.

I wish Mr Jobs and his family all the best. And YES< Apple will continue to grow and innovate. YES Apple will continue to amaze us with new and exciting products that will change our lifes, and YES, When the time comes, Mr. Jobs will be given a proper fairwell. But until that day, Thumbs up Steve boy, great job!

Skip

A magnificent career Steve. My heart felt thanks to you for your remarkable dedication to the concepts of innovation, leadership, good design and quality products. It has been truly inspiring. Hopefully all future managers will learn the lessons of your remarkable successes, rather than follow the lazy but popular route which so often result in poor designs, low quality materials, cheap products and customer dissatisfaction.

Take it easy young man! You have well and truly earned it. You will NEVER be forgotten.

We love you Steve!

I was looking at the news this morning and got the news like everyone else. Jobs has resigned.... Was i shocked? Of course not. Steve had been off the air for months and although he would make appearances here and there (i personally think he likes the surprises), he was keeping low, giving Tim Cook all the breadth he needed to assume control.

Now, Tim is firmly in place, has the confidence of the Head Honcho, has the approval of the board... Apple can resume doing its business like it was yesterday. A minor bump has been passed.

The worst AAPL detractors kept foreseeing a doom day akin to Dec 12 2012 and according to Mayan calendar, the earth would cease to exist the day Jobs quit... Ok i exaggerate but you get my point.

Steve, (if you ever read these) rest well. You have "converted" a lot of people to your ideas and the future looks bright. A mind like yours is not common, this is why they are sometimes misunderstood. A genius... no. A damn good CEO with a vision... absolutely.

For this, you earned the respect of the community, your peers, your employees, and has peeked the interest of the non-believers.

See you out there Steve but now is the time to get rid of the turtle neck

Steve and I are about the same age. He's had significant health issues to battle. I'd rather see Steve as an ageing visionary and evangelist for Apple than, well, alternative possibilities. Therefore, in my estimation this move away from the front line is an excellent one and in fact, might help him focus with even greater clarity on the way ahead. We know Steven Jobs is capable of looking decades ahead with uncanny assurance and prescience.

The position of CEO is one for a younger, fitter man (and a superb man they have in Tim Cook ). Giving it up is not of itself a sign, although it is hard to imagine otherwise.

I have goals yet to achieve and I am sure that Steve has too.

All the best Steve.

Which position does Steve have to resign for Apple to finally make an XMac?

And a rigged game at that!

Because he didn't "step down" last time. Because he didn't leave behind a corporation full of people build around his vision last time. Because they completely ignored Steve's ideas last time.




Seriously? Just buy a PC for heaven's sake.

Best of luck Mr. Jobs. You brought a company that was on the brink of disaster to the forefront of technology while creating incredible new devices that have revolutionized the industry. All with a style that no other company has. To many more incredible years good sir.

I wish him well

Over the years I've purchased an iBook G4, a Unibody MacBook (pre-Pro), and a 27" iMac, and numerous iPods.

Our 160GB Classic (the fattish one) I sealed up in a silicone & plastic double-case the day I bought it. The metal back is completely scratch free, years later.

I confess that a couple of times a year I take it out of those cases and just marvel that such a beautiful JEWEL of a device holds a bazillion songs and plays for so long.

Then after that I further confess that I round up our 1st-Gen Nano, the fat-Nano, the Classic, and the 1st-gen Shuffle, and line them up the same way I used to line up little MatchBox cars (35-years ago), and just marvel at each one.

Pitifully-Geeky I know, I'm not proud of myself during these times.

Older tech is usually quaint or even ugly ("how did I ever LOVE that?"), not "Marvel"-ous. No one really does that with a CD-player, VCR, old Camcorder, old-TV etc. They always look dated and bulky.

Apple's products DON'T get less-cool with the passing of time, esp in the mobile era.

That's the true genius. Timelessness, from a Timeless Visionary.

Enjoy a more Relaxed Pace, Steve.

iChill, for years to come we all hope.

First post.

Concurs with the abject nonsense of another first post.

Hmm.

I'm not expecting an alarm or surprise. I'm just wondering how far down in the company this particular succession plan goes. Normally, it just takes care of the CEO, because the CEO is the most important person in a company. But most companies hire top talent from the outside on a continual basis. Often when a top employee leaves, they appoint a temporary replacement from the ranks until they can find someone suitable from somewhere else.

Of course, Apple had to do that as well for new positions, and while Jobs was building up a top management team. But now, what happens? Will a replacement for the COO position be appointed? If so, from where? Is there someone within Apple who could take over?

This is an important question for Apple, because Cook is credited for much of the success of Apple in that position. So for Apple, it's a much more important post than it is for most other companies. That means they need someone who can continue the work Cook has been doing, which from many articles written over the years, Cook is a genius at.

We don't hear of anyone at Apple who has been working with Cook at that level who could continue it.

Some of you are bordering on deifying the man. -_-

creepy

and before you call me callous read my previous two comments in this thread

I think you are overdoing it. It's pretty obvious that Cook has the complete confidence of Jobs. It's also obvious that Jobs isn't running the company on a daily basis. In addition, there is no one at Apple who would deny Jobs a decision. He's proven all he needs to. Jobs is interested in product R&D. He's also interested in final product approval. Why would anyone at Apple disagree with him having that? I can't think of a single reason.

It does look as though the top ranks of the company are of a single mind. We never see them saying things that are odd as we see in other companies. We never see them saying things that deny what another at the company says. This is a pretty well oiled machine, as it should be. They are in sync.

If it isn't well established by now that Jobs knows what he's doing, then it never will be. Even the occasional mistake has been a learning experience, which it isn't always at most other companies. Oracle is one of the rare ones. But then, the two are good friends.

I believe that Cook will consult with Jobs on every decision where he knows Jobs is the expert, as he has been doing all along. I don't get the feeling that Jobs is a boss as much as a mentor, as Cook himself has said. The same thing for the rest of the top team. As long as Apple is successful, and Jobs can be seen as being responsible for the part that he does, he will own his decisions.

As we can see from his resignation as CEO, he will walk away from a position when he feels he can't do it anymore, and I'm pretty sure the board and management knows that.

I just hope he's got a good number of years left in this new position. But even if he resigns from the Chairmanship in the next year or two, he could still retain his authority in product development. He's got his name on more than 300 patents at Apple, the lead name on about three dozen. Almost all of these are design patents. This is a huge number. Gates only has 9, I believe. It shows where his real interest lies, and he won't lose any influence there.