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Jan 16, 09 - 01:26 pm Comment from: ericdano

Markets are broken. Isn't that obvious yet? These people "reporting" on Steve are not doing anything for Apple. They are not being objective and responsible.

John Dovorak, in his column on MarketWatch says it best: Apple without Steve Jobs is Sony.

@unemployed drifter-Dvorak doesn't say ANYTHING best. He's an asshat.

bravo ken fisher for being reasonable.

No... Apple without compelling products is Sony. And my a..hole wtihout tp is John Dovorak.

Jan 16, 09 - 02:01 pm Comment from: Cubert

I think he's going to be at Apple for at least 5 more years.

Jan 16, 09 - 02:04 pm Comment from: HolyMackerel

Maybe analysts should be required to submit their entire personal medical history online before speculating on the medical history of others.

Apple without Steve Jobs is Apple without Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs is not dead or retired, but on a 6-month medical leave. There are many great and talented people, obviously, working for Apple- with new products waiting to arrive on a regular basis.

Just the facts, ma'am.

Jan 16, 09 - 02:33 pm Comment from: HMCIV

I might expect this of ESPN, but not Bloomberg.

I'd give Sportscenter more credibility over Bloomberg most days.

Actually, Dvorak's column is pretty thoughtful. You should read it. I think what he meant with the Sony comment was this. When Sony's founder, Akio Morita, became ill and left the company in 1994 Sony's drift into mediocrity began to accelerate. Today, I can't think of a single Sony product that I want to look at. What a change from the sixties and seventies when the hottest electronics were all from Sony.

Auramac:
That's the way I want to see it too but the timeline here is disturbing and points to a trend:

1. Steve says he has cancer but it's treatable.

2. Public speculation about Steve's appearance cause stock price to fall to alarming level. Steve says he's okay.

3. Steve says his doctors think he has a hormonal imbalance. It is being treated.

4. Steve announces he is taking a six month medical leave and Tim Cook is in charge.

When you put this altogether it doesn't look good. I wouldn't be surprised if Steve has worked his last day at Apple.

jbrownetal:
One of the points Dvorak makes is that Apple probably has enough innovative product design in the pipeline to last for two years after Jobs leaves. After that Apple, without Jobs, may have few compelling products to offer the public. Much like the position Sony is in today.

Jan 16, 09 - 02:53 pm Comment from: ken1w

Actually, the first time around, Apple without Steve Jobs was much worse than Sony. Apple in the early 1990's had plenty of cash and lack of focus. They wasted a lot of money doing stuff that led nowhere or had mediocre success. Apple was today's Microsoft.

But Apple in the 1990's is not the disciplined company it is today, with super-efficient operations and three successful product lines (four if you count the iTunes Store). Whenever Steve Jobs does step down, the next CEO does not need to be the same type of creative genius. Apple has plenty of creative geniuses. The next Apple CEO just needs to a strong leader who can keep the company focused on its key markets and strategies.

Has anyone asked Joe the Plumber yet?

Just kidding... :(

MW = air, as in I need to go out for some air.

ken1w,
You are absolutely right. Apple's manufacturing, distribution and retail sales chain are the envy of the industrialized world. But what happens to all of that if you run out of ideas for products? That's the real fear investors and others have for Apple's future.

Also, being a creative employee is one thing. If the people above you don't share your vision that vision is wasted. Steve is the kind of CEO who is open to new ideas and the "let's take a chance" mentality. That's the hardest thing to come by in any CEO. It's the loss of vision in any new CEO that could eventually be Apple's downfall.

Jan 16, 09 - 03:46 pm Comment from: ken1w

@ Unemployed Drifter

Steve Jobs made Apple successful again because he has vision and creativity. However, I'm sure he has killed many times more creative ideas from his employees than nurtured to product. He is open to pursuing new ideas, but only if those ideas fit his vision for Apple. Apple is not Google. And that is the real key to Apple's success since his return.

One smart and strong leader who has the influence to keep his company focused and disciplined can easily out-maneuver competitors (with weak or "by committee" leadership) and even entire industries (such as the music recording and mobile phone industries).

So the next Apple CEO does not necessarily have to be the next Steve Jobs, as long as Apple continues to attract and retain talented people, and those employees are kept focused like a laser by strong leadership. But I hope that strong leadership is provided by Steve Jobs for a long long time.

Jan 16, 09 - 04:11 pm Comment from: Grifterus

Steve Jobs is too stubborn to just go away.

I mean it in a positive way, of course.

Jan 16, 09 - 04:25 pm Comment from: The Great Microsoft Shiller Massacre

I equate Roger Kay with douchenozzles like Tom Delay- people who think they can diagnose someone via photo or video. Nice work if you can find it, but in the real world, you're known as a total quack.

Jan 16, 09 - 04:37 pm Comment from: The Great Microsoft Shiller Massacre

Er... douchenozzles like Bill Frist. My bad.

Tom Delay is still a douchenozzle, for other reasons...

If you are as appalled by the insensitive and sophomoric comments of industry analyst Roger Kay of Endpoint Technologies, below is where to contact him to share your thoughts.

It's one thing to be analyzing a company. But it's quite something else to publicly speculate on what I consider to be a private matter for any individual, Steve Jobs included. Mr. Jobs is a human, not some object owned by Wall Street. To treat him with so little dignity speaks volumes about his critics and accusers.

Feel the same way? Then stick it to Roger Kay here:

Roger L. Kay
President
Endpoint Technologies Associates, Inc.
Phone: (508) 720-3469
Mobile: (508) 314-4443

Jan 17, 09 - 01:03 pm Comment from: BC Kelly

The writer writes:

"Are people making financial moves on AAPL in this market based on such speculation? "



Well, appears a LOT of people have made a LOT of financial moves based on a LOT of speculation, BS, hopes and dreams.

And not just concerning Apple.

Is how we got to "this market"

Duh




BC

"John Dovorak, in his column on MarketWatch says it best: Apple without Steve Jobs is Sony."

And Mark Twain without talent is John Dovorak.