And I think you did. You put a ‘ding’ in our hearts, Steve. By putting iPod and iPhone in our ears, and iPad in our hands. And a lot of Macbooks and iMacs to work with us everyday.
I was just enjoying my beautiful morning when I heard the shocking news. And for a few hours, the morning wasn’t that beautiful anymore.
I know that the day will come sooner or later, following Steve Jobs’ poor health condition. But it was still devastating to hear that he has passed away. And for an Apple fan, think of myself as a fanatic one, because I actually shed a tear when I read his resignation few months ago:
To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
–Steve
Steve co-founded the Apple Company in 1976 together with his long-time buddy Steve Wozniak, in the age of 21. He was a genius with a strong charisma. But he was also a pain-in-the-ass idealist that people had trouble working with. So, after a really bad dispute, the Apple board decided to kick him out of the company in 1985, and the one who had to deliver that decision was Apple’s CEO at the time, John Sculley, who was recruited by Steve Jobs himself.
So Jobs got out, but he’s not a loser. He founded another computer company, NeXT Computer. Later on, it’s actually the NeXT innovative technology that saved Apple.
In 1986, Jobs bought The Graphics Group from Lucasfilm, later renamed Pixar. Yes, it is the company behind the greatest animation movies of all time, such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, you name it. So life was all right for the growing Steve, except it has never been perfect without Apple.
But it was the year 1996, when Steve Jobs got what I call ‘second chance’. That time, Apple’s growth has not been very good, and its profits were shrinking. As an act of rescue, the Apple’s board knew that they had to bring Steve back in business. So Apple bought NeXT in late 1996, bringing Jobs back to the company he had co-founded, and immediately appointed CEO of the company. By that time, Steve had become a far better leader. And in a few short years, Apple made its return into the world of modern technology with Steve’s wild and visionary ideas, becoming the brilliant and innovative company, as we know now. Ever since, 314 million iPods, 129 million iPhones, and 29 million iPads have been sold all over the world, giving us the unforgettable experience of what the future might be.
Steve was an icon of his own company. He endorsed the brand himself. He didn’t even need a celebrity to promote his innovation, because he’s the one that people wanted. To me personally, Steve Jobs is Apple, Apple is Steve Jobs. And I have to say; I have my doubts that even Tim Cook can handle Apple without Steve Jobs. Although I believe that Cook will find his way eventually. But it will need some time, and a lot of charisma, for people to adjust to the new ‘face’ of Apple.
It is amazing how one man has his life set from the beginning, that he will make great innovations that influence the world, and get ultimately rich by just doing that for the rest of his life. I honor him and admire his hard work. I even respect his decision to leave his company, because that means he knows when to stop, and yes, he goes down in blaze of glory. He puts an end to his leadership while the company is stable and in very good hands. I believe he has thought about this well, and he knows that it’s the right time to go. And now that he’s gone for good, I believe that it’s the right time for him too. I certainly hope, that someday, somewhere else in this world, another Steve Jobs is born.
Well done, Steve Jobs. You have a life well done! We will certainly miss you coming out in your black turtleneck and blue jeans! Put some use of your iPad in Heaven. The angels might need it for their choir night.