Steve Jobs

Apple After Jobs: Looking at the Future Beyond iPad,
iPhone and MacBook

By Tim Scannell, Editorial Director

Despite the millions of words, both print and digital, written this past week about Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs, it is safe to say that we probably knew very little about the man, the myth and the icon.

In fact, of all the people over the years who led and shaped the personal computer and consumer electronics industries, Jobs was perhaps the most enigmatic. His personality and presence drove Apple to new heights in terms of innovation and design. It also created an almost cult-like following among users of the company’s products, who lined up for days to hear him speak at trade shows and events.

Conversely, Jobs was also an extremely private and introspective person, whose passion was simplicity and utility.

Over the course of his life, his influence touched nearly every facet of our lives, from personal computers and phones to music, tablet devices and animated movies. But, Jobs was never obsessed with legacy or immortality, but rather with just providing ways for people to do better in their personal and working lives.

He was also a person who recognized the importance of learning from failures, as he had when fired from Apple by the very man he had hired and later returning to take control and steer the company into new and exciting areas of technology. There were also a number of unsuccessful technology launches like the failed Lisa and early MessagePad personal digital assistant.

Continued on page 2

Forum Members Speak Out on Apple Future After Jobs

Steve Jobs may be gone but Apple is still considered the leader of the pack when it comes to consumer technology. Our discussion forum members have some interesting things to say about the future of Apple and future "iProducts."

With Steve Jobs Gone, How Will Apple's Software Fare Vs. Windows 8 & Android?

Apple's remaining management team now inherits two aspects of Steve Jobs' legacy: profoundly successful previous products, plus an ongoing embracement of change.

Steve Jobs: His Life, His Death, And What It Means For Apple

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer Inc., died Wednesday at the age of 56. From pioneering the modern GUI to the introduction of the iPad, Jobs made a career out of forever changing the way people use technology.

Apple After Jobs: Can a New CEO Improve the iPad?

With news that Apple missed extremely high earnings estimates in Q4 and following the iPhone 4S launch, the TechnologyGuide team reexamining Apple following the death of Steve Jobs. Can the Mac maker still out innovate the competition?

One More Thing: Is An Apple Television Steve Jobs' Final Act?

Under Steve Jobs, Apple created the most popular desktop, the most popular notebook, the most popular music player, the most popular cell phone and the most popular tablet. Is the most popular television next on the list? More importantly, can they do it without Steve?

Coming soon: Apple’s iPhone and later iPad set new standards in terms of imaging and is pushing low-end point-and-shoots out of the picture. Will this push continue after Jobs?

Apple After Jobs: Focus on the iPhone and Digital Cameras

As we say goodbye to Steve Jobs, we are left in the midst of a camera industry in a state of flux. The iPhone 4S is equipped with a high-powered sensor and an f/2.4 lens, but still faces limitations - take a look as we reflect on Jobs, the iPhone and the state of the point-and-shoot.

With Steve Jobs Passing, Apple Looks to New Leadership

With the passing of Steve Jobs, two men who previously worked behind the scenes have been thrust into the limelight: the new CEO Tim Cook, and the head of product development, Jonathan Ive. But do they have what it takes to replace Jobs?


Where Does Apple Go from Here?

Comments and observations from across TechnologyGuide's Discussion Forums."

"Personally, I think it has already impacted apple somewhat. It seems as though there have been no standout 'innovations' in the last 12 months or so. Apple is now arguably only just keeping up, if not behind in the smartphone market after the release of the iPhone 4s..."


I haven't noticed any major changes to Apple over the last year. They weren't ever being constantly massively innovative. They had the iPhone in '07 and the iPad in '10. They released some interesting software in the meantime. . I'm not sure how much innovation you expect..."


"True to Apple culture, I don't believe we will see any changes that may or may not happen within Apple. Though Steve Jobs is not there, his personality is part of Apple now, so some of it will always remain. But with a new head honcho, Apple will grow with new personality..."


"I don't think there is going to be much change at Apple. It has been turned into a well oiled machine that will take a mighty force to push off of its current track. Apple has done a lot this year with the iPad 2 (which was an even bigger success than the first one), OS X Lion, spec bumps in their various Mac lines with newer Intel hardware, iOS 5, development and implementation of iCloud..."


"I think that Jobs has laid out the plans for apple for the next 3-4 years. So I am not worried for Apple that much. If they stick to what their modo (sic) has been then they will be ok and always towards the top. The way I see them failing is really in the hands of Cook..."


More Apple After Jobs Comments:

DesktopReview

NotebookReview

TabletPCReview

Brighthand