Do you think Steve Jobs still believes that Apple will fall without him?

[Jessica Lares]

We all know that Jobs got fired and Apple went into a dark little age for awhile. Then he came back and everything was happy once again. After watching the latest Apple event where Steve wasn't talking as much as he usually does, I think there was a point that was being made across - Apple won't survive without Steve Jobs.

And I very much think that he knows that we're all pretty ticked off about Flash and Java going, I know HE knows that there's reception problems in our phones, and I know HE knows that we're not impressed with how OS X Lion is turning out. I personally think he's trying to tarnish his own company so that when he passes on, there'll be nothing left to work with. By that time, Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and whatever else will simply go - No, you didn't want to work with us, what makes you think we'll want to work with you now?

And like he did last time, he's just going to sell all his stock again, take his money, and leave. At least, that's what I'm thinking at this point, seeing the same exact reactions to the event last week.

 

[r.j.s]

Apple did just fine while he was on medical leave ... it wouldn't be the same, but it won't fail either.

 

[*LTD*]

What makes you think he believes that? Why would he plan to leave anytime soon? The man loves what he does. His obsession at this point is making great gear - always has been. Money is not an issue. Look at the way he's always talked about tech.

Tarnish his own company?? He "knows" people aren't impressed with the iPhone or OS X lion??

What are you talking about??

Consumers just handed Apple a $20 billion quarter. Record iPhone sales. Over 14.1 million this past quarter alone, easily surpassing RIM. Record Mac sales. 7 million iPads sold since April. Apple can do very little wrong at this point. iOS is a massive success, and integrating it with OS X is the final move in making the most usable tech across the board in the entire industry. In fact, I can't recall a quarter in recent years that didn't set a new record for the company. Recall that Apple had blowout sales . . . in a recession!

Seems consumers are not just happy with Apple, they're ecstatic with the company's decisions.

On this very site:

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/1...n-on-20-34-billion-revenue-best-quarter-ever/

Take-away from the numbers:

Conference Call Highlights:
- CFO Peter Oppenheimer with summary: New all-time records for Mac, iPhone and iPad sales.
- New Mac sales record by over 400,000 - double overall market growth. Double-digit growth in both desktop and portables, led by iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook.
- Nearly 9.1 million iPods sold. Market share remains over 70% per NPD.
- iTunes Store revenue over $1 billion for the quarter.
- "Extremely pleased" with 14.1 million iPhones sold. iPhone revenue reached $8.82 billion, up 92 percent. Average selling price of $610.
- iPhone has 166 carriers in 89 countries. Very pleased with response in China since recent launch.
- Enterprise adoption of iPhone 4 continues to grow. 80% of Fortune 500 companies, up from 60% before iPhone 4 launch.
- iPhone sales very strong, but could have sold more if supply had been available.
- iPad sales strong. 65% of Fortune 100 companies using iPad. Expanding retail distribution and filling sales channels, but still below desired levels.
- Have now passed 125 million total iOS devices sold.
- iOS 4.2 coming in November with AirPrint and other features.
- App Store: Over 200,000 registered developers. "Very happy" with iAd performance.
- Retail store revenue at $3.75 billion. 874,000 Macs sold, up 30% year-over-year. 50% of sales to customers new to Mac.
- First-day sales at new Beijing and Shanghai stores set new records.
- Average revenue per store $11.8 million, up 52% year-over-year.
- 74.5 million visitors during the quarter, up 62% year-over-year.
- Fiscal 2011 will see focus on international expansion. 40-50 new stores, with over 50% outside U.S. Also replacing several U.S. stores.
- Cash plus marketable securities at $51 billion, up $5.2 billion.
- Fiscal 2010 saw over 13.6 million Macs sold, 40 million iPhones, nearly 7.5 million iPads, record revenue of over $65 billion. Earnings of $14 billion. 5x the revenue and 10x the earnings of five years ago.
- Guidance: Revenue at $23 billion, gross margin at 36%, earnings of $4.80 per share.

Apple doesn't need anyone to work with them, actually. They have $51 billion in cash on-hand, they're debt-free, they're the hottest company in tech, and in due course, will surpass Exxon Mobil as the most valuable company on the planet. They're the master of their own fate. Microsoft is now in their rear-view mirror. They can do so many things in-house if they like already, or simply make a few acquisitions. All Apple needs are developers to be on board and consumers to continue lining up for their products. And they are. That won't change in the foreseeable future. All Apple needs to do is stick to their vision.

The new low-end for Apple stock is around $300. Did you forget that? Investors seem to think SJ is doing a fine job. In fact, SJ's performance as CEO is widely regarded as unmatched in the industry today. But why would no one want to work with them when Apple gear is flying off the shelves? you can bet there will be no shortage of potential partners for Apple at this rate. Just ask AT&T and Foxconn. See how Apple turned their back on Adobe and Flash? The result: Adobe stock ended up tanking. And Apple ended up selling a record number of iPhones and iPads. No Flash. No consequences. Just a lot of bluster and hot air from wrong-headed analysts and geeks on tech sites. Apple has this habit of proving them wrong every damn time.

You seem to be living in some other world that has no basis in reality. Look at the what the market is saying, not what geeks on tech sites are saying. MR is not the place to gauge opinion. It is a barometer of nothing. This crowd doesn't know sweet f all about the market. LOL they're still pining away for some kind of desktop headless Mac you can take apart and play with. It would be comical if it weren't so sad.

So Steve Jobs is trying to somehow sabotage Apple by increasing stock value, churning out great products that consumers love (forcing the rest of the market to innovate), using Apple's resources to render the company less dependent on others, and rendering the company (in time) the most valuable company on the planet? Got it.

It seems every year for the past 5-7 years we have this sort of conversation. This nonsense from folks who don't "get" Apple really needs to stop.

 

[macquariumguy]

And I very much think that he knows that we're all pretty ticked off about Flash and Java going, I know HE knows that there's reception problems in our phones, and I know HE knows that we're not impressed with how OS X Lion is turning out.

Speak for yourself.

 

[kdarling]

I think one main thing that would happen after Jobs' departure, would be a happy loosening up around Apple, both for employees and customers.

Reportedly things were a lot less stressful around Apple while he was getting his new liver. Of course, this is often true when the "boss is away", but it goes in spades in his case.

Didn't we also saw carrier exclusivity end overseas during that time?

For users, I think we'd see more options allowed in iOS. For instance, I think new management wouldn't be as anal about not allowing the iPad switch to be set for either orientation lock or mute... or about not allowing active homescreens.

Businesswise, the big question would be if they can continue to come up with the "latest thing". For that, they'd need to find another metrosexual fashion-oriented megalomaniac with little technical knowledge... AND give that person absolute power over design decisions.

 

[r.j.s]

Businesswise, the big question would be if they can continue to come up with the "latest thing". For that, they'd need to find another metrosexual fashion-oriented megalomaniac with little technical knowledge... AND give that person absolute power over design decisions.

I'm sure Ive will still be there.

 

[*LTD*]

These "what if" scenarios (often initiated by the galactically uninformed) can go on into infinite absurdity.

 

[roadbloc]

And let's define Apple's "fall." Even under different management, how will Apple "fall"? They might become like Microsoft, or Google,

Or they may remain being Apple and take their obsessions with locking everything down to more of an extreme. Seriously, what would you rather have? A tablet that can't multitask but has an Apple logo and is released today, or a tablet that can multitask, but is without an Apple logo and will be released six months from now?

(I am aware that the ipad will soon have the ability to multitask, it was an example.)

 

[ucfgrad93]

And I very much think that he knows that we're all pretty ticked off about Flash and Java going, I know HE knows that there's reception problems in our phones, and I know HE knows that we're not impressed with how OS X Lion is turning out.

Pure speculation on your part. Quite frankly, your post is a load of crap.

 

[*LTD*]

Or they may remain being Apple and take their obsessions with locking everything down to more of an extreme.

Which seems to result in greater sales of Apple products.

Why do you insist on arguing against success? Apple's got a winning formula. Go shake your fist at the consumers handing Apple record sales of iPhones, Macs, and 7 million iPads since April. Apple's more "locked down" than ever and they're enjoying more success than ever before.

Apple's locking down of their tech is an asset, not a liability, it would seem.

I don't see anyone complaining aside from Apple's competitors and the usual crowd of tech geeks infesting Apple fansites - mostly MR. This nonesense from the uninformed and out of touch has been going on for years, most notably with the hackintosh crowd last year.

Time to reevaluate your ideas and get grounded in reality.

 

[roadbloc]

Time to reevaluate your ideas and get grounded in reality.

Whatever do you mean? I am a Mac user, a MobileMe user and soon to be an iPhone 4 user. I have no problem with Apple products as they are now, I'm thinking of the future. Say Apple become more and more restrictive? Let's imagine Apple never supported multitasking in the iDevices. They were late on the bandwagon when they did, and if they hadn't, you can kiss goodbye to me buying MobileMe and my soon to be iPhone. Say Bluray actually kicks off and Apple still refuse to add it to their Macs. Well... I can imagine a lot of people will probably reconsider buying a new mac, myself included.

That's the point I'm trying to make. Apple may be all cool now, but if they continue being late in adding requested features due to their restrictive nature, they will find themselves loosing customers. Apple's greatest weakness is that their products are not worth buying until the 3rd or 4th generation, by which time, the competitor has caught up.

 

[SidBala]

Steve Jobs is an obsessing perfectionist control freak. He certainly believes that Apple needs him to produce the top notch products they sell.

However, I can only assume that he must have hired senior staff with qualities similar to himself. Hence if he left Apple today, those other guys would step in and make things work.

 

[Paintball613]

Although Steve is a visionary I believe Apple will survive and prosper without him. Through all of the new keynotes Steve is taking a back seat to them and showing everyone that Apple has many great executives, and more importantly great engineers.