16 replies to this topic

[sur4z]

I just finished Walter Issacson's biography of Steve Jobs. GREAT BOOK! Jobs was a petulant sh#t but he changed the world and saved the record companies. I never wanted an Ipad but I do now. What a visionary...he always said he didn't want market studies because he said the consumer didnn't know they wanted his devises until he showed it to them. Everything he made was sleek, simple and pleasing to the eye which made you want to hold it (like me).

[Kim]

So are you flying to Cupertino for the March 7 unveiling? The invitation says, "Something You Really have to See. And Touch" That is a biography I must read.

[DoomsDave]

Mr.J was a master at selling expensive stuff at high markups, and that's no small talent.

[Dypsisdean]

One of the better books I've read in a long time. For anyone who thinks it's only about Apple and Jobs, there are many things to learn about the birth of the personal/consumer computer era, and life in general. IMO - a must read. Plus, Kona was his favorite vacation destination.

[sur4z]

Mr.J was a master at selling expensive stuff at high markups, and that's no small talent.

Actually Dave, the book reveals something different. Jobs always wanted to keep the price down BUT he wanted his products to be superior to all others so "perfection" drove the price up. Jobs was never about the money...he was about the product.

[Dypsisdean]

Mr.J was a master at selling expensive stuff at high markups, and that's no small talent.

Actually Dave, the book reveals something different. Jobs always wanted to keep the price down BUT he wanted his products to be superior to all others so "perfection" drove the price up. Jobs was never about the money...he was about the product.

I couldn't agree more.

People take many things for granted that Steve (and I say Steve because it was mostly one man's vision) launched, refined, defined, or created as user friendly and functionally simple yet elegant.
- The mouse and today's GUI operating systems
- The personal computer itself

Three top of the line revolutionary consumer products that everyone continues to chase for market share
- MP3 player with video
- The first usable tablet that will continue to change how the world computes - mostly and hopefully in education - and third world countries
- Blew up the smart phone market with a truly revolutionary product

- Changed and integrated the entire music/film industry with a workable solution for interntet distribution and management
- In the "physical" real world, the most successful retail space ever. Apple sells more value per square foot of retail space of any brick and mortar establishment in the world.
- And can take the lion's share of credit for many of today's movie industry's CGI special effects and advancements that also made him Disney's largest share holder.

And as Dave noted, Apple has done this with a culture and marketing ability that provides a markup that any company would envy. All the way confronting a multitude of naysayers, while beginning life with no special advantages - as an adopted child.

Plus there are some solid rumors of another "breakthrough" consumer trend. The Apple TV and integrated home media/computer center. Something attempted by many, yet elusive to make simple and usable. We'll see if Apple can again deliver, without Steve's tutelage.

Whatever you think of the individual or his products, having someone setting the bar so high has benefited all of us.

[LJG]

Mr.J was a master at selling expensive stuff at high markups, and that's no small talent.

Actually Dave, the book reveals something different. Jobs always wanted to keep the price down BUT he wanted his products to be superior to all others so "perfection" drove the price up. Jobs was never about the money...he was about the product.

I couldn't agree more.

People take many things for granted that Steve (and I say Steve because it was mostly one man's vision) launched, refined, defined, or created as user friendly and functionally simple yet elegant.
- The mouse and today's GUI operating systems
- The personal computer itself

Three top of the line revolutionary consumer products that everyone continues to chase for market share
- MP3 player with video
- The first usable tablet that will continue to change how the world computes - mostly and hopefully in education - and third world countries
- Blew up the smart phone market with a truly revolutionary product

- Changed and integrated the entire music/film industry with a workable solution for interntet distribution and management
- In the "physical" real world, the most successful retail space ever. Apple sells more value per square foot of retail space of any brick and mortar establishment in the world.
- And can take the lion's share of credit for many of today's movie industry's CGI special effects and advancements that also made him Disney's largest share holder.

And as Dave noted, Apple has done this with a culture and marketing ability that provides a markup that any company would envy. All the way confronting a multitude of naysayers, while beginning life with no special advantages - as an adopted child.

Plus there are some solid rumors of another "breakthrough" consumer trend. The Apple TV and integrated home media/computer center. Something attempted by many, yet elusive to make simple and usable. We'll see if Apple can again deliver, without Steve's tutelage.

I thnk Apple was too much one man and it will slowly decay over time. It did the first time he left. You would be hard pressed to find another massive corporation where one man really ran the whole entire show.

[sur4z]

Mr.J was a master at selling expensive stuff at high markups, and that's no small talent.

Actually Dave, the book reveals something different. Jobs always wanted to keep the price down BUT he wanted his products to be superior to all others so "perfection" drove the price up. Jobs was never about the money...he was about the product.

I couldn't agree more.

People take many things for granted that Steve (and I say Steve because it was mostly one man's vision) launched, refined, defined, or created as user friendly and functionally simple yet elegant.
- The mouse and today's GUI operating systems
- The personal computer itself

Three top of the line revolutionary consumer products that everyone continues to chase for market share
- MP3 player with video
- The first usable tablet that will continue to change how the world computes - mostly and hopefully in education - and third world countries
- Blew up the smart phone market with a truly revolutionary product

- Changed and integrated the entire music/film industry with a workable solution for interntet distribution and management
- In the "physical" real world, the most successful retail space ever. Apple sells more value per square foot of retail space of any brick and mortar establishment in the world.
- And can take the lion's share of credit for many of today's movie industry's CGI special effects and advancements that also made him Disney's largest share holder.

And as Dave noted, Apple has done this with a culture and marketing ability that provides a markup that any company would envy. All the way confronting a multitude of naysayers, while beginning life with no special advantages - as an adopted child.

Plus there are some solid rumors of another "breakthrough" consumer trend. The Apple TV and integrated home media/computer center. Something attempted by many, yet elusive to make simple and usable. We'll see if Apple can again deliver, without Steve's tutelage.

I thnk Apple was too much one man and it will slowly decay over time. It did the first time he left. You would be hard pressed to find another massive corporation where one man really ran the whole entire show.

Len- You may ultimately be right but when Jobs left (was fired by John Scully, the man Jobs hired) the ethos of the company changed and it was all about the money which caused the company to almost fail. When Jobs came back he made the company about the product again and he surrounded himself only with "A" teamers...they are still at Apple and I'm sure they won't loose sight of Jobs' vision anytime soon.

[Dypsisdean]

I thnk Apple was too much one man and it will slowly decay over time. It did the first time he left. You would be hard pressed to find another massive corporation where one man really ran the whole entire show.

I would have to agree. At any rate, it won't be getting any better with Steve gone - much like MicroSoft has been languishing without Gates at the helm.

When your whole team revolves around the star quarterback, it can't click as well when he isn't on the field. But it's at those times you see how strong the team is that has been assembled around him. And one saving grace is that he had plenty of time to assemble one and leave a well thought out play book.

But you're right, there is no way you can easily (or ever) replace the "league's" MVP.

[rozpalm]

I thnk Apple was too much one man and it will slowly decay over time. It did the first time he left. You would be hard pressed to find another massive corporation where one man really ran the whole entire show.

Berkshire Hathaway. Now that Warren is 81, he's begun succession planning. He came close with Sokol, but then it turned out his guy was front running him.

[sur4z]

So are you flying to Cupertino for the March 7 unveiling? The invitation says, "Something You Really have to See. And Touch" That is a biography I must read.

Kim- If I got the invite, I would hop into my G650 and go.

[bgl]

So are you flying to Cupertino for the March 7 unveiling? The invitation says, "Something You Really have to See. And Touch" That is a biography I must read.

Kim- If I got the invite, I would hop into my G650 and go.

I'm sure that ANYONE with a G650 would have an automatic invite! That wouldn't be too many though, since none have been delivered yet... First delivery is expected this year. And why not stick with something basic like a Boeing 737BBJ (Boeing Business Jet)? Maybe too pedestrian?

For those who may want to put in an order for a G650 - contact Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, GA. It's their largest and fastest business jet with a top speed of Mach 0.925 - about 10% faster than your average commercial jet.

[sur4z]

So are you flying to Cupertino for the March 7 unveiling? The invitation says, "Something You Really have to See. And Touch" That is a biography I must read.

Kim- If I got the invite, I would hop into my G650 and go.

I'm sure that ANYONE with a G650 would have an automatic invite! That wouldn't be too many though, since none have been delivered yet... First delivery is expected this year. And why not stick with something basic like a Boeing 737BBJ (Boeing Business Jet)? Maybe too pedestrian?

For those who may want to put in an order for a G650 - contact Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, GA. It's their largest and fastest business jet with a top speed of Mach 0.925 - about 10% faster than your average commercial jet.

Rumor has it the golf legend Arnold Palmer's Citation X goes that fast or faster.

[bgl]

Those two are extremely close when it comes to performance. The Citation X is quoted with a top speed of Mach 0.92 and the G650 with Mach 0.925. Splitting hairs here. When it comes to cruising speed - all up to the individual operator how much extra fuel they want to burn to save a few measly minutes. Cruising at Mach 0.90 is always going to burn up more fuel, per mile, than cruising at, say, Mach 0.87.

[MattyB]

When is Apple gonna come out with the iteleporter? That'll probably be faster.

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[LJG]

Len- You may ultimately be right but when Jobs left (was fired by John Scully, the man Jobs hired) the ethos of the company changed and it was all about the money which caused the company to almost fail. When Jobs came back he made the company about the product again and he surrounded himself only with "A" teamers...they are still at Apple and I'm sure they won't loose sight of Jobs' vision anytime soon.

I agree, it won't happen over night. Also Apple won't disappear, but it will never dominate like it did. Now that Jobs is gone, have you noticed the biggest stock market run Apple has had? It is insane. Almost $200/share in a few short months (Wow, so glad I got out at $404 - what an idiot I am). So in speaking of money, share holders are already attempting to tap into the 90 some billion dollar war chest. The vultures have started circling in my opinion.

[MattyB]

Oh Len. Think happy thoughts.