Apple admirers speak out

apple_logo Apple fans have spoken and the majority aren’t happy with my prediction of the company’s slide, posted on this here blog yesterday, once Steve Jobs gives up the company reins. The topic of succession planning was broached at the company’s annual general meeting held on Tuesday. Here are some excerpts from some of the more polite readers:

1) AdamC - “Let face ivery (sic) company or country has it (sic) day in the sun, to day (sic) Apple is riding high and with the blue print of Steve Jobs in place we will it as it is today with or without Steve Jobs.”

2) James Horner - “Get your simple facts straight before you try things that are more complex.”

3) GoCatGo - “My concern about your doom-laced article is that you disregard the remarkable contributions of people like Jonathan Ive. Mr. Ive is a remarkable and talented individual … and not at all alone at Apple in this respect.”

4) GoCatGo (cont). “I appreciate your passion for technology, but don’t use your enthusiasm as an excuse to bypass the research such an article requires.”

Touch a nerve did I? I’m far from an Apple hater (I own a Mac), though the blind loyalty and cult-like behavior of its users does tend to annoy me I must admit. The more level-headed readers said references to the Apple “cult” devalued my other points - I concur even though they were made in jest. I will use the term sparingly, but in applicable circumstances, in future. One other clarification/correction, as pointed out by several readers in the blogosphere that commented on my post yesterday - I incorrectly slotted the creation of the Lisa computer under the watch of ex-CEO John Sculley. The mistake was corrected - I’d urge readers to submit the same correction to other sources on the Web.

I still believe, however, Jobs is the kernel (no, not the software kind) of Apple - without it the company doesn’t make the same kind of tasty popcorn. He is a rare breed - a company co-founder that can drive a company to new heights. (Yes I’m aware of that Gates fellow who helped Microsoft reach great heights as well before his relatively recent retirement.) Jobs is surrounded by very capable lieutenants; that doesn’t make them leaders. I also doubt an outsider can replicate or maintain the unique culture Jobs has fostered over the years. This culture, as one reader/Apple employee pointed out, has fostered creativity and helped the company’s employees make and market great products.

Look forward to your comments about Apple’s iPhone software developer kit, which I will cover in a post later this afternoon.

March 6, 2008 | Filed Under News Items and Commentary 

Comments

2 Responses to “Apple admirers speak out”

  1. JGH on March 6th, 2008 9:26 pm

    so true …

  2. Scatman Carruthers on March 6th, 2008 10:23 pm

    Great piece - I agree with your points!

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