Steve Jobs on Track for a June Return to Coincide with a Media Event?

[redkamel]

You obviously don't have any clients like Steve Jobs as statements like that could cause millions of dollars of damage to the Apple's stock value. I would fire my lawyer if that was the best he could come up with.

I see what you're saying, but he never claimed that it was he thought the health thing was a good angle. By the same reasoning you use, a good lawyer also wouldn't tell the court he couldn't be there for health reasons even if it was true, because it would lower the stock.


I always envisioned Steves return as a video chat on the new iphone to with Steve on vacation. That would be the most awesome and hilarious way to demo it. Imagine how funny it would be if Steve and Bono video call Phil Schiller from the pool to ask if they were up yet, and how "work" was going, and "its not so easy doing a keynote huh?".

 

[winterspan]

I'm no expert, just took Bio I and II in college. In other words, don't listen to anything I'm writing.. It's just pure speculation based on a rudimentary understanding of the human body.

but it's fun to guess. I'd bet steve's problem goes something like this:

Pancreatic cancer -> partial removal of pancreas -> inability of damaged pancreas to properly excrete protease (protein break-down) enzymes into digestive system -> problematic absorption of amino acids -> inability to properly create important proteins involved with producing hormones -> hormone imbalance ?

We have any medical experts in here to comment?

 

[zacheryjensen]

Sounds like he became gluten intolerant

Based on everything that has been said publicly, as well as his diminishing profile, I would say there is a high chance that Mr. Jobs' ailment is Gluten Intolerance, also known as Celiac disease. It can come and go randomly, is poorly understood, and can cause maluptake which basically means you can't absorb nutrition.

What happens is, the part of your intestines that absorb nutrients become inflamed by the presence of certain types of proteins (gluten, from wheat generally) and when that happens they no longer function properly. Two things happen, one is that you can't properly absorb most types of nutrition, and also you absorb things you should not, such as actual complete protein (you normally break these down before they enter the bloodstream).

The first of the two primary issues leads to drastic weight loss, loss of hair, etc. just very bad things that are associated with malnutrition. This seems to be what Mr. Jobs has been experiencing. I have a co-worker who went through the same thing. He nearly died because of it.

The other thing that can happen but is rare is the protein added to the blood is picked up by the kidneys, leading to far more activity in the kidneys than normal which in turn leads to kidney failure.

Anyway, anyone can google celiac disease and see for themselves. I'd put money on his issue being this, or a similar related disease. It has no cure but treatment is provided in the form of a dietary regiment to regain nutrition and weight in a healthy manner, accompanied with drastic dietary changes (I have tried to form a truly gluten free diet and it's non-trivial, almost everything you buy at the grocery store in so far as processed foods has wheat gluten, even soy sauce and many sour cream based foods). If all is as suggested, he'll look healthier visibly, having probably gained weight during this treatment period.

 

[jav6454]

Mmmm, Apple's notebook and iPod line up is due for an update around now... however, I suspect it be notebooks way before iPods. Reason is, iPods are traditionally (or at least the past few years) have been upgraded or changed in September. Notebooks more Octobers/Februarys/June/Mays. So, seeing a notebook event to bump up speed on new MacBooks (Pro/Air) is feasible, but not 100% sure thing.

 

[designgeek]

I'm glad to see that he's ok. I'd love to see him do the keynote at WWDC.

 

[NinjaHERO]

So the fact that there's no news (regarding Steve's health) is now news?

In other news a bus made all it's stops on time today.

All it's stops....wow. LOL

 

[icyderguru]

They will announce him stepping down, thats why he has to attend while he still can.

Paving the way for Phil Schiller.

 

[XciteMe]

How anybody can consider this "bad" news or negative in any way, is beyond me. WTF.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Again, Phil will announce the new iPhone 3G v3 at WWDC. It will be available before that week's end (there will be no waiting for gen 1 contracts to expire), trumping any Palm Pre thunder from its launch the weekend prior to WWDC.

Steve will definitely introduce the tablet - end of June/beginning of July. It will run 10.6 and ship Aug/Sept. This new Apple device will be way too A) whiz-bang and B) important to leave in anyone's hands but Steve's.

And this will mark Steve's last major keynote. He'll step down at year's end, with Apple stronger and more poised than they have ever been.

Just watch.

 

[celtikmind]

Yawn...

So the fact that there's no news (regarding Steve's health) is now news?

In other news a bus made all it's stops on time today.

This one made me laugh, good one!

 

[Makosuke]

I could use that disease for a few months.

Speaking as someone who couldn't eat on account of a stomach disorder for about a year, no, you really don't.

(Yes, I know that was a joke.) Seriously, though, I can empathize with Jobs, and I do honestly hope he's got his health problems dealt with.

I do have my doubts Apple would hold up a major product for his return--particularly when they're trying to emphasize that they can continue to be successful with or without him at the helm. Now, him wanting to make a splash on return with a product ALREADY scheduled for release, that I would believe.

 

[Scottsdale]

I don't get why everyone says that July will be a full two years since the original so Apple will not update the iPhone until then.

The thing is, I bought my original iPhone on the original day of its release. I bought the 3G iPhone the day it was released. It didn't cost me one penny more... it will not cost anyone who bought a 3G or original iPhone one penny difference in price (if they bought when 3G was introduced)... it just adds a year to the contract.

Am I missing something? Do people really NOT upgrade because they want to wait until the original obligation is up to make a new one? So you suffer with an old (far inferior) iPhone for a year which costs NO DIFFERENCE (as you could sell it for $500 cash on eBay), and live with a 3G iPhone for year two. So, let's review... four years of contracts... three iPhones... no difference in price... Four years of contracts.... two iPhones?????? WTF

Why wouldn't everyone just update when released as far as contracts are concerned? I don't feel one bit bad about upgrading on day released to get the newest and latest technology.

I plan to do the same thing this month with the third iPhone. I will buy a new one for whatever the price for the high end model. I will sell my 3G and probably get the entire amount back that I paid for the new iPhone. And I will have a brand new iPhone to live out two more years of contract. Next year, I will upgrade again and continue the same path. I just don't see the downside... I don't see any downside... in continually upgrading.

What am I missing??? I guess some people just want to live with old tech as to not extend a contract. But in the end, it's all the same, except one doesn't get the extra fun of a new iPhone annually.

 

[LagunaSol]

Get well and come back soon, Steve! The world simply can't afford to have Sweaty Ballmer acting as the public spokesperson for personal computing technology.

*shudder*

 

[dicklacara]

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living
someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -
which is living with the results of other
people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's
opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most
important, have the courage to follow your heart
and intuition. They somehow already know what you
truly want to become. Everything else is
secondary."

- Steve Jobs -

 

[mac jones]

The party is over.

back to work

 

[LagunaSol]

And this will mark Steve's last major keynote. He'll step down at year's end, with Apple stronger and more poised than they have ever been.

I just can't see it. Jobs is only 55. He's at the peak of his power. There's still too much bad technology in the world and I can't see someone like Steve Jobs sitting by and letting it happen without his furious resistance.

Can you imagine no Jobs/Apple renaissance? Where would we be?

His work is not yet done. Not even close. I can see Jobs uttering his "One more thing..." lines at 75.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living
someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -
which is living with the results of other
people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's
opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most
important, have the courage to follow your heart
and intuition. They somehow already know what you
truly want to become. Everything else is
secondary."

- Steve Jobs -

Very Vivekananda.

 

[garethslee]

That's the southwest corner, Jobs has the northeast corner. His pool is by the three bedroom poolhouse.

And here's a street view. Is that Steve's Mercedes outside the gate?

 

[colmaclean]

Interesting take on the tablet debate here...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/04/charles-arthur-apple

Tablet computers are the nichest of niche products. Great for doctors and, um, architects? Hopeless for the average person who needs a rapid way to interact with, and input data to, web pages, email, spreadsheets and documents.

But, you say, Apple sells the iPhone, which is like a small tablet! It's got an onscreen touch keyboard. Just make it bigger, and there's your tablet! Nope. The iPhone (and iPod Touch) are successes in the category Apple has aimed them at - highly portable internet devices. They aren't intended to replace a computer at times when you'd use a computer; they're serving a different need.

The tablet computer is generally envisaged as a replacement for a laptop or desktop. Why, though? When would you pull out your tablet and start working with that, rather than attaching a keyboard to it - ie, use a laptop? Alternatively, why would you use a tablet if you could use an iPhone? It's a solution looking for a problem.

I reckon the WWDC will focus on software - Snow Leopard and iPhone OS 3. Looking at past WWDCs the only hardware announcements have been 'Prosumer' - developer-focused.

A lot of people are gonna be pissed on here!

 

[Fitty Cent]

OH MY GOD IT'S STEVE JOBS!!!!
OH MY GOD IT'S STEVE JOBS!!!!
OH MY GOD IT'S STEVE JOBS!!!!

OH MY GOD!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!


AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AHHHAAHHHAHAHHAAAAAAAAHHHHH





ah...



aaahhhh......


aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh


Oooohhh.... oooohhh...

Steve Jobs....


Steeeeeve Joooooobsssss.....



I hear anything about Steve Jobs and I

J. I. M. P!!!

 

[DarkJaye]

I don't get why everyone says that July will be a full two years since the original so Apple will not update the iPhone until then.

The thing is, I bought my original iPhone on the original day of its release. I bought the 3G iPhone the day it was released. It didn't cost me one penny more... it will not cost anyone who bought a 3G or original iPhone one penny difference in price (if they bought when 3G was introduced)... it just adds a year to the contract.

Am I missing something? Do people really NOT upgrade because they want to wait until the original obligation is up to make a new one? So you suffer with an old (far inferior) iPhone for a year which costs NO DIFFERENCE (as you could sell it for $500 cash on eBay), and live with a 3G iPhone for year two. So, let's review... four years of contracts... three iPhones... no difference in price... Four years of contracts.... two iPhones?????? WTF

Why wouldn't everyone just update when released as far as contracts are concerned? I don't feel one bit bad about upgrading on day released to get the newest and latest technology.

I plan to do the same thing this month with the third iPhone. I will buy a new one for whatever the price for the high end model. I will sell my 3G and probably get the entire amount back that I paid for the new iPhone. And I will have a brand new iPhone to live out two more years of contract. Next year, I will upgrade again and continue the same path. I just don't see the downside... I don't see any downside... in continually upgrading.

What am I missing??? I guess some people just want to live with old tech as to not extend a contract. But in the end, it's all the same, except one doesn't get the extra fun of a new iPhone annually.

What are you missing? Subsidies. The original iPhone was not subsidized, so of course you were able to upgrade to the new one at the "new contract" price and AT&T didn't care as long as you extended your contract.

With the iPhone 3G, you get the phone significantly cheaper, with the phone company eating the rest of the cost in exchange for a 2 year contract. There is no guarantee AT&T will let those who are only 1 year into their contract on their subsidized phone get it for the lowest price again. You might have to pay full price for the device if you want to upgrade.

 

[iMat77]

Whishes...

I think, wish, expect the WWDC to be focused around software. Snow Leopard, Final Cut, Aperture, iPhone OS. These should be the focus. It has been a long time since Apple really put the "pro" segment under the spotlight. MacPro deserves/needs a desing upgrade (also to "match" it with the new screens), pro apps need a refresh (FCP and Aperture particularly).
I wish WWDC had these in focus and not "iPhone" all the time... From a SW point of view of course, but presenting new "consumer" hardware at WWDC is not quite appropriate. But then again Apple has to do it there, because all the "analysts" will be expecting it and the stock would tank, also because of the release of Palm Pre which put more pressure on iPhone (FROM A MEDIA COVERAGE POINT OF VIEW)
But I hope it will only be PART of WWDC and not the WHOLE WWDC...

For the "tablet" or the new "appletv" or every other consumer announcement, there will be the subsequent announcement made by Jobs himself.

I also wish AppleTV would get an upgrade (with an appStore for games, small at the beginning but very strong in time).
Most of all I also wish, at the announcement of iPhone's ability to download TV shows and movies, as well as a possible new AppleTV that the person on stage adds the magical words it's been 3 years I would like to hear... "WORLDWIDE".

I would like a Pro centered and software oriented WWDC (with announcements of the 3.0 iPhone, new Aperture, new FCP, new ATV OS, Snow Leopard): after all there would be plenty of stuff to talk about.
And then, a month from now, a consumer event with the announcement, by Jobs and Ive, of a new device or two (tablet, iPhone, ATV, new MacMini, you name it): there also would be plenty of stuff to talk about...

Regarding Steve's health. Since he left there has been speculation, expectation and even pressure for him to take the stage. I bet, when he said "until june" he had to be strict and avoid temptation to appear prior to that (also because he is very passionate about Apple, a thing that an analyst or two sometimes forget).

I am happy Steve will be back, and I hope he will be full of energy, vision, idea and focus. But Apple really needs to remember it is not only a consumer company, but also has some really strong assets in the business world which they shouldn't forget. Unibody laser etched or whatever tech they use for a MB which is consumer oriented is fine, but I would carve the MacPro in pure gold then, for the price people pay for it... (a MacPro never sits on the floor and is always really visible. It needs a design refresh)

 

[rdowns]

True, however the stock definitely is a good indicator as to the vibe a company is giving off. Personally, I pray it soars.

It's only up 60%+ since Steve took his leave.

Steve will call Phil Schiller during the demo of the new iPhone's video calling feature. Just you watch.

And remember, I called it first.

If Steve makes any appearance, this is the most likely in my opinion. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

 

[gathart]

I was quite shocked that his physician gives the board a weekly report about the progress. What about patient confidentiality!

 

[OllyW]

And here's a street view. Is that Steve's Mercedes outside the gate?

Doesn't look like a disabled parking space to me.