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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Cyber Cynic

Steve Jobs' health doesn't matter

12 comments

TAGS:Apple, business, macworld, Steve Jobs
IT TOPICS:Macintosh & Apple, Management, Software

I like Steve Jobs. I like, despite my open-source leanings, many of Apple's products such as Macs, iPods, and the Apple TV. I hate to think that Jobs' health has taken a turn for the worse. But, whether his health has gone downhill or not isn't really what important to the worlds of technology and business. What's important is that, by not showing up to make the keynote speech at Macworld, Jobs appears to no longer be at Apple's helm.

With Jobs at the wheel, Apple became the master of design. It's not that Apple always brought something new to the table. Portable music players, for instance, had been around for ages long before the iPod took the world by storm. What Jobs did always bring was an eye for quiet, graceful looks that combined function and appearance into a single harmonious whole. No one, but no one, else has been so successful at that in either computing hardware or software.

Gimlet-eyed stock holders might not see the beauty in Apple's designs, but they have seen how Jobs turned a company around from near irrelevance to a technology stock gold-mine. Is there anyone besides Jobs who could step into his shoes and convince an already frightened market that Apple will be as great as ever? I doubt it.

Apple's friends are spinning away that Jobs is staying away because of politics, without any real explanation as to what those politics might be. Conflicts with IDG World Expo, the company behind Macworld? That seems silly. Apple's already leaving. What would be the point?

Could it be that Apple wants to hide a decline in his health? By not showing up, all Apple has done is fuel endless online speculation about his health. It would be better for Apple if Jobs showed up, if need be, in a wheelchair, perhaps in Dean Kamen's iBOT - it even has the right name!-- tricked out with Apple hardware, than to simply not be there.

No, all that really matters here is that Jobs, the master of control, doesn't appear to be in control. The reasons for this don't matter. If Jobs isn't seen at the ship's bridge, we don't see Steven Jobs' Apple, we see just another technology company. And, that is not the message that either Apple's users or investors want to see.

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Jobs and Reality Distortion

Submitted by Anonymous on May 23, 2009 - 7:55 P.M.

I worked closely with this man for several years. He was borderline criminal in terms of being untruthful. He has lived his entire adult life in a reality distortion bubble. Sure, he could be insane enough to think it's "truth" he's been putting out all these years. It helps him manipulate workers to be slavish. And customers to be hypnotized. Most of his "vision" has been THEFT. First from Xerox PARC (GUI, mouse, etc.) And he takes credit for inventions by talented Apple staffers. It's sad he is very sick. But for people to expect a behavioral change of heart on his deathbed...dream on. There will be lies right up to his last breath on earth.

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Steve Jobs needs to show at CES

Submitted by roger on December 23, 2008 - 2:18 P.M.

Everyone is concerned about Steve Jobs health.
I would like to see him at CES. Steve needs to be seen in public for everyone to feel good about how he is doing... If he is tired or just wants some time off, he need to say so....
We have all the insights for you at www.apinsights.info
When we see him or can get an interview you will be the first to know...

Roger
Senior Editor

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What's with the title?

Submitted by Anonymous on December 19, 2008 - 8:23 A.M.

"Steve Jobs Health Doesn't Matter"? Seriously, that's a pretty 'could care less' attitude if you ask me about a fellow human being.

I understand you were referring to his health in relation to Apple but honestly are you just trying to get someone to react or read your article?

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Apple

Submitted by Joanne on December 19, 2008 - 6:33 A.M.

I hope he'll be fine soon. We all know the pros and cons of apple products but it's the apple who designs best looking geek stuff.

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Steve Jobs is indispensable to apple?

Submitted by Jack on December 19, 2008 - 3:54 A.M.

I dont think so. Though Apple stock may fall. I dont want to back apple's one-click time.

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Worried about leadership

Submitted by Stomfi on December 18, 2008 - 8:36 A.M.

I think you are right to be worried about the leadership aspect. Just look what happened to Microsoft when Bill Gates stepped off the Chief Technologist podium, the Vista mess.

I mean where is that easy to use dumb user software Bill was so proud of producing. Gone with his leaving.

Look at the rise of Ubuntu. Just another Linux distro clone, one might say, but without Mark Shuttleworth at the help, promoting ease of use for his Grandma, would so many people prefer it.

Yes. Apple without Steve Jobs, will become like Microsoft without Bill Gates, a mess.

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what about xp.. 98.. 95

Submitted by Mr Landlord on December 18, 2008 - 6:48 P.M.

I think had Gates stepped out during the work for XP, or 98 the same argument can be said. Who are we to blame Windows ME on? ME was far worse than Vista.

I think any product has it's flukes.. M$ has always had issues with their software. It's the trouble with being the size they are. They can't control their programmers quality any more.

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I think by not showing up at

Submitted by Anonymous on December 18, 2008 - 4:21 A.M.

I think by not showing up at Macworld, Jobs wants to gradually reduce the importance of him (not) being at the wheel. That way the transition (after his departure / retirement) will be smoother and less stressful NASDAQ-wise.

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Remember Apple and retail

Submitted by Don Marti on December 17, 2008 - 4:22 P.M.

Apple always got crappy treatment from the retail computer stores. Even if their machines were set up and working, the employees didn't know how to demo them. So the company decided to do retail itself.

I predict they're going to launch their own event, completely outside the existing expo company/convention center/hotel system. A giant yurt in a park?

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