Tim Cook and Steve Jobs (from Wired.com)
The internet is buzzing about the CEO of Apple’s announcement, that he’s taking six months medical leave. Pundits worry that Jobs’ possible departure might signal the end of Apple, which Jobs revitalised, when he returned in 1997.
Only computer journalists and financial geeks worry about Steve Jobs. Mainstream tech buyers buy Apple products for other reasons, like simplicity and fashion. Apple has snatched the consumer electronics and music businesses from 90s incumbents, in a strategy Jobs summarised as “it’s the software stupid“. Tim Cook is standing in while Steve sleeps it off.
crazy that Steve Jobs had to leave for a while, hopefully there’s somebody to hold up the fort while he’s gone
It is a shame, he’s so good at what he does. I do think that the cult of Steve Jobs isn’t as important out of the US, as in it. He’s helped create mainstream buyers who see Apple products in their stores and outdoor advertising and don’t always link that with Steve himself. In that case, Apple will survive beyond Steve.