Steve Jobs Almost Entirely Focused on Tablet Project?

[MacRumors]

The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that Steve Jobs has been focusing almost exclusively on Apple's much-anticipated tablet computer since his late June return from a medical leave of absence for a liver transplant. The report notes that employees who had become accustomed to a certain level of freedom in their work during Jobs' leave of absence have found his close attention to even the minutiae of the project "jarring".

Since his return in late June, the 54-year-old has been pouring almost all of his attention into a new touch-screen gadget that Apple is developing, said people familiar with the situation.

Those working on the project are under intense scrutiny from Mr. Jobs, particularly with regard to the product's advertising and marketing strategy, said one of these people. The people familiar with the matter declined to give details on the tablet or disclose when the device would come out.

In a response to The Wall Street Journal's request for comment, Jobs simply reported that "much of [their] information is incorrect" while declining to provide additional specifics.

Jobs' attention to detail on the tablet is said to be similar to his singular focus on the iPhone in the months leading up to its 2007 launch. Jobs has been quite particular about the tablet project over the last several years, having set such high standards that he had reportedly nixed the project twice before finally finding the technology sufficient to achieve his vision.

At Apple, a tablet-like device has been many years in the making. Apple filed a patent related to a tablet device as early as 2000, according to a Thomson Reuters patent database.

But development has come in fits and starts. Mr. Jobs killed the project twice in recent years, the first time because the battery life was too short, and the second time because there was insufficient memory, said one of the people familiar with the matter.

The report concludes by summarizing recent rumors pointing to a tablet introduction later this year or early next year at a price point somewhere between the iPhone and the entry-level MacBook. Also unknown, according to the article and other observers, is whether the device will run full Mac OS X or if it will run a version of the iPhone OS.

Article Link: Steve Jobs Almost Entirely Focused on Tablet Project?

 

[Tallest Skil]

"90 hours/week and loving it!"

 

[applealex]

I'm sure he wants to make sure this comes out perfect. after all look what happened when he was gone (iPod shuffle 3G)

 

[r.j.s]

If they are going to be releasing a tablet, Jobs and Ive better be putting all their effort into it.

 

[tuhoops]

Holiday Season?

You would think that they would release in time for the holiday season, however, late 1Q 2010 seems more likely.

 

[jav6454]

I bet it'll run iPhone OS beefed up a bit to run more complex applications.

 

[r.j.s]

You would think that they would release in time for the holiday season, however, late 1Q 2010 seems more likely.

I'd bet their goal is a release in time for the holiday season.

 

[SandynJosh]

You would think that they would release in time for the holiday season, however, late 1Q 2010 seems more likely.

A different company might throw something out the door in time for the holiday season, but Jobs just isn't into "shovelware."

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Steve Jobs = Weegee stares?

Click yes if you agree.

 

[Grimace]

Well, the holiday season starts in late November, so Jobsy and Co. better get cracking in these next three months!

I could more easily see a January/February launch. Maybe Steve will accept the offer to give that Electronics Expo keynote and just whip it out! (the tablet)

 

[the-oz-man]

OS X is a must

It's got to at least have OS X for it to even be an option for me. Don't get me wrong, the iPhone OS is great for a small mobile device, a giant iPhone requires a step up.

 

[Jigsawjammer]

I have a hard enough time keeping my iPhone in one piece...I couldn't think about one 3 times as large.

 

[Takuta-Nui]

Interesting. I appreciate Steve Jobs' obsessiveness - I can identify with it to a certain extent, although I suspect his is more compulsory while I'm more voluntary, lol. But in the end, I think it's a good thing. After all, it's this attention to detail and his visionary nature that makes Apple products so incredible.

 

[mac jones]

God this is too good to be true

(that's why it probably isn't

 

[mac jones]

Interesting. I appreciate Steve Jobs' obsessiveness - I can identify with it to a certain extent, although I suspect his is more compulsory while I'm more voluntary, lol. But in the end, I think it's a good thing. After all, it's this attention to detail and his visionary nature that makes Apple products so incredible.

Yeh right

Or maybe he's just insane

 

[r.j.s]

God this is too good to be true

(that's why it probably isn't

What makes it too good to be true?

 

[tetravus]

Well they'd better release it WHEN it's ready

Better late that crappy. I can appreciate it more if the thing is delayed but comes out perfect than an early release with tons of bugs and other wonky problems.

 

[mac jones]

What makes it too good to be true?

Uh, i don't know

nevermind

 

[Anaemik]

I hope there's truth in this rumour. As much of a nightmare as he must be to work for when he gets like this, every time he becomes "bad Steve" over a product it generally goes on to revolutionize the way things are done one way or the other - be it the original Mac launch, OSX, the iPod, iPhone, etc. If he's being a real PITA over a tablet PC I have high hopes that it will kick a fairly hefty amount of butt.

 

[crees!]

Paid subscription my butt. Google News thanks for the article in full.

 

[levitynyc]

Great to see Steve pounding on some desks again. It was a long 9 months without him

 

[Peace]

Seems to me if Steve's concentrating on marketing then that things about ready to go out the door..

But like he said. They could be misinformed.

 

[50548]

I'm sure he wants to make sure this comes out perfect. after all look what happened when he was gone (iPod shuffle 3G)

Now we're talking! When SJ focused entirely on the iPhone, he launched the most revolutionary device ever, something that has TOTALLY redefined the mobile industry.

Now he WILL do the same with the tablet sub-market, creating demand where such demand does NOT exist today...anything else from Microshaft or other inferior makers is just gonna disappear from the radar screen in no time.

Remember this: once the Apple Tablet is launched, you'll just FORGET about everything else intended for the same kind of market. GO APPLE!

 

[Tampa Tom]

They got it wrong

...Steve is focused on TAKING tablets, like in medicine and anti-rejection drugs. The WSJ simply misunderstood the Apple HQ code word for Steve taking his pills (tablet fix). Shoddy reporting at its worst.

 

[stellaclose]

FYI If you have the iPhone WSJ APP you can read the whole article for free.