刘罡
美国《纽约时报》8月24日的报道说，苹果公司周三宣布，它最主要的产品梦想师乔布斯将辞去公司首席执行长的职务。报道援引科技研究公司Gartner 的研究负责人Michael Gartenberg的话说，虽然乔布斯的辞职标志着苹果公司一个时代的结束，但重要的是需要记住，相对于个人贡献来说，苹果公司的成功还有赖于更重要的东西，即使这个个人是乔布斯。
报道还援引研究机构Forrester Research 专长于移动技术的分析师Charles Golvin的话说，鉴于苹果的下一波产品早已付诸开发而乔布斯辞任CEO后还将继续担任苹果董事长，乔布斯辞职所产生的影响可能要一年半到两年后才能感觉出来。他还说，苹果公司今后最重要的问题是，公司赖以做最终决定的那个人离开后，苹果的团队是否还能继续有效地团结协作。
美国《洛杉矶时报》8月24日的报道说，苹果公司创始人之一乔布斯周三辞去公司首席执行长之职，他在幕后推动的一系列产品使消费电子产品行业发生了革命性变革。报道说，虽然长期休病假的乔布斯此次辞职已在人们的普遍预料中，但他的辞职还是让苹果这家偶像级公司的未来处于不确定之中，这是因为乔布斯与苹果那些最成功的创新性产品有着深深的个人联系。
报道援引经纪公司BGC Partners的分析师Colin Gillis的话说，乔布斯辞任CEO并不出人意料，无论他的健康状况今后是恶化还是不恶化，董事长一职仍是乔布斯今后继续向苹果提供艺术灵感的完美角色。
英国《卫报》8月25日的报道援引苹果公司董事Art Levinson 的话说，乔布斯的非凡远见和领导能力拯救了苹果公司并把它引向了世界最具创新性和最有价值科技公司的位置。他说，乔布斯对苹果的贡献不可胜数，他吸引和激励了苹果数量众多的有创造性员工和公司具世界级水平的管理团队。
报道说，有分析师认为，接替乔布斯出任苹果CEO的库克是个保险的人选，但他们怀疑在库克领导下的苹果是否还能有以往的动力。但报道也援引研究机构Cross Research 的负责人Shannon Cross的话说，乔布斯辞职将不会对下一代iPad 或下一代 iPhone造成影响，苹果处于研发过程中的产品已经排出去很远，乔布斯一直在苹果内部培养人才，苹果的企业文化非常强大。
（本文作者刘罡是《华尔街日报》中文网编辑兼专栏撰稿人。文中所述仅代表他的个人观点。）
Steve Jobs steps down as Apple CEO
Cancer survivor Jobs becomes chairman of technology company, nominating Tim Cook as his successor
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 25 August 2011 00.43 BST
- Article history
Steve Jobs has resigned as chief executive of Apple, to be replaced by its chief operating officer, Tim Cook, in a surprise move that may signal that the 56-year-old co-founder of the company is losing his battle with cancer.
The announcement was made at about 4pm Pacific time in a statement from Apple following a letter from Jobs, who said: "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."
He added: "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."
In a statement on Wednesday night, Apple said that it had appointed Cook, who was recruited to the company by Jobs in 1997, and had elected Jobs chairman of the board.
Apple's shares fell by 7% in after-hours trading, as market digested the impact of Apple losing its charismatic leader, who had led it back from near-bankruptcy after rejoining in 1996 to become the world's most valuable company by market value earlier in August. "Steve Jobs is not your typical CEO. He is both a visionary from a technology industry perspective as well as a micro-manager," said Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman and Renshaw. "To say that he is instrumental or key in the turnaround of Apple's fortunes would be a gross understatement."
Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist, said: "I'm sad. He's the greatest entrepreneur ever."
No reason was given for the resignation, but Jobs has been battling medical problems for the past seven years. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas in 2003 and operated on in July 2004. Although he returned to work within a few months, in April 2009 he received a liver transplant. Medical observers suggested that the long-term effects of the required autoimmune drugs could mean that the cancer would return.
Jobs made a small number of public appearances in 2011, launching a new version of Apple's iPad tablet, attending a dinner with US president Barack Obama and other technology chiefs, fronting the launch of new software from Apple in June and presenting plans to the Cupertino council the next day. But he looked increasingly frail and thin, which looked increasingly like the effects of a spread of the initial cancer.
"Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company," said Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech and a member of Apple's board. "Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."
Analysts – who had previously pressed Apple to publicise its CEO succession plan, without success – said that Cook was a safe pair of hands, but wondered whether the company would have the same drive. "[Tim Cook] is very highly regarded internally at Apple. From a succession perspective they could not possibly identify a better candidate. He has a track record to back it up," said Kumar. "What Steve Jobs leaves behind is a very deep and a broad bench and so they will continue in his footsteps."
Shannon Cross of Cross Research said: "It won't affect next the iPad or next iPhone. Apple's product line-up is well set. Steve, keep in mind, has been training people at Apple and there is a culture at Apple that is very strong."
The digital pioneer
Born and raised in San Francisco, Steve Jobs' career has charted – and often defined – the rise of the digital era.
He co-founded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and the company revolutionised computing. In 1985, after a sales slump, and Jobs' clashes with management, he was ousted. He went on to turn Pixar into one of the world's most famous animation studios.
He returned to Apple in 1996 and what followed was the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad, redefining not only computing but telecoms and the music industry. Dominic Rushe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/25/jobs-quits-apple
Tim Cook takes over as Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO
Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc. and driving force behind a string of products that revolutionized the consumer-electronics industry, stepped down as chief executive on Wednesday.
But the move wasn't a completely unexpected one.
His departure from the CEO post had been widely anticipated ever since Jobs took an extended medical leave earlier this year to attend to undisclosed health reasons. He underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer seven years ago and had a liver transplant two years ago.
In his letter of resignation to the company board, Jobs said, "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."
Though widely expected, the announcement threw the future of the technology juggernaut into flux, given Jobs' deep personal association with Apple's most successful innovations, including the Macintosh computer line, the iPod portable music player and the iPhone smart phone.
Though the stock dropped nearly $20 in after-hours trading, some analysts recommended that investors take the news in stride because Jobs' marginal health condition, which has been hanging over Apple and its stock price for years, should not come as a surprise.
"Don't panic, remain calm," said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners. "This is not unexpected."
"He clearly has some major health issues going on," Gillis said. But "deteriorating or not deteriorating, chairman is the perfect role for him to continue providing artistic input."
Apple named Tim Cook, the company's well-regarded operations chief who had run the company in Jobs' absence, as chief executive. Jobs assumed the role of chairman of the board.
Steve Jobs resigns as Apple's CEO
Apple publishes Steve Jobs' resignation letter
What does Steve Jobs' chairman role mean for Apple?
-- Walter Hamilton
Photo: Former CEO, and now Chairman of Apple, Steve Jobs (rihgt) and former Chief Operating Officer, now CEO, Tim Cook (left) at Apple headquarters in Cupertino on Aug. 7, 2007. Credit: Monica M. Davey/EPA
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/08/steve-jobs-out-as-ceo-tim-cook-in.html
Jobs Steps Down From Chief Executive Post at Apple
By NICK BILTON
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Steven P. Jobs discussing the company’s iCloud service in June.7:37 p.m. | Updated Adding analyst comment.
9:06 p.m. | Updated See our longer article about Mr. Jobs’s resignation.
Apple said on Wednesday that Steven P. Jobs, its co-founder and leading product visionary, would step down from the chief executive role. Tim Cook, the chief operating officer, will take over the position.
In a letter sent to Apple’s board of directors and “the Apple community,” Mr. Jobs said he would like to remain as chairman of the board.
“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s C.E.O., I would be the first to let you know,” Mr. Jobs wrote. “Unfortunately, that day has come.”
Mr. Jobs, 56, had surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2004 and had a liver transplant in early 2009. His health has gone through considerable ups and downs in recent years, according to a person briefed on his condition.
Although he has officially been on medical leave since January, Mr. Jobs has appeared in public to announce new Apple products. In June he was on stage in San Francisco to talk about iCloud, Apple’s latest foray into cloud-based computing. It is not clear how much Mr. Jobs has been involved in the company’s day-to-day operations recently. Apple is expected to unveil a new model of its hugely successful iPhone this fall.
“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,” Mr. Jobs said in the letter.
Apple’s stock dropped in after-hours trading, falling nearly 5 percent.
Michael Gartenberg, research director at Gartner, said in an e-mail message that although this marks the end of an era for Apple, Mr. Jobs should still be able to shape Apple’s products in the chairman role. Besides, he said, “it’s important to remember that there’s more to Apple than any one person, even Steve Jobs.”
Mr. Jobs founded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak, and built the company’s reputation with the Apple II and Macintosh computers. He left Apple in 1985 after a conflict with John Sculley, then the chief executive. The following year, with a small group of Apple employees, he founded NeXt Computer, which ultimately focused on the corporate computing market, without notable success. In 1986, he bought the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm and re-established it as the independent animation studio Pixar.
A decade later he sold the NeXt operating system to Apple and returned to the company. In short order he was again at the helm and set out to modernize the company’s computers.
With the more recent introduction of the iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad, Apple has shaken up a range of industries. Mr. Jobs has been awarded much of the credit for turning Apple into one of the world’s most valuable companies. Last month Apple briefly became the most valuable company in the world in terms of market capitalization.
“In his new role as chairman of the board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration,” said Art Levinson, the chairman of Genentech and an Apple board member, in the company’s announcement.
Charles Golvin, an analyst specializing in mobile technology at Forrester Research, said in an e-mail message that the impact of Mr. Jobs’s departure might not be felt for 1.5 to 2 years, “given that the next wave of products is far along in development and his continued presence as chairman.”
He added: “I think the key question is whether the Apple team will continue to work as effectively as a collaborative without the single person to rely on for the final decision.”
Mr. Cook has been Apple’s acting chief executive since Mr. Jobs went on medical leave. When he joined Apple in 1998 he quickly began upgrading Apple’s supply chain. Mr. Cook closed many of Apple’s production factories in California and outsourced manufacturing to suppliers in Asia. He became chief operating officer in 2007.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/steve-jobs-resigns-as-apple-chief-executive/?hp
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