Steve Jobs Planned to Work on Apple TV Set After Stepping Down as Apple CEO

[IJ Reilly]

It's mentioned somewhere in MR at a recent thread. I forget the name of the OP but don't think it's Cfreymarc but it could've been. It was quite...interesting.

I feel like I followed these events as closely as anyone when they were happening but don't recall having heard even a whisper to the effect that Steve wanted anyone but Tim Cook to run Apple. In fact Cook is who he chose to run Apple during his several medical leave absences and he was probably more in charge of Apple during Steve's last 2-3 years than Steve was himself, as a practical matter. Steve's declining health resulted in a lot of discussion about a leadership succession plan at Apple. The company refused to address the plan in detail at the time but assured investors that it was already in place. And the results of that succession plan were...?

 

[citysnaps]

Without being petulant, You responded exactly how I thought you would by categorizing me into your quote "And instead rely on Macrumor's relentless cook-bashing for your understanding." You are highly inaccurate. Don't interject or place me into any submission into what I already provided you. I have a great deal of respect for Cook. Second, your reading my views entirely different based on my original quote to you, by providing my an iPhone volume number, when yes, Cook is a businessman, which I already stated, without breaking it into terms of numbers.

I see what everyone else does through the media, interviews and exposure from earnings calls/Key Notes. I dont need to provide you with concrete numbers or statistics to ultimately prove how Cook is. But make no mistake about it, Cook is not a salesman and does not have the tenacity that Jobs portrayed in obtaining results, which is not to say Jobs was not without flaws.

Cook also on stage is not what Jobs was, anyone will contest to this, which is why I stated Jobs was a salesman, and a very good one. Cook is the backbone of the financial means of Apple, which I agree with you on how he creates the rapport with suppliers oversea's and among many other things.

Cook is worthy of being acknowledged for many things, but again, not the tenacity and demand Jobs once had. So you suspect Jobs passed the leadership roll to Cook precisely for that achievement? How do you know this? Did Jobs for see Apple as it is now in their current state? Did Jobs envision Apple having one of the worst years in iPhone history with a reported net loss? Did Jobs fully understand how Apple has strayed away from providing new hardware, more specifically the lack of updated Macbooks? Which correct me if I am wrong, is the reason Apple is what is today? Did Jobs ever ponder how his shareholders would dump millions in shares? Clearly your precise analogy is no greater than anyone else's here on Macrumors for that matter.

Nobody can speak for Jobs and how he envisioned Apple's future. So your opinion is no different than mine, other than you providing me an iPhone number and manufacturer relations. I see Cook as leader in terms of Apple's well being, but not the drive Jobs had.

If your left convinced I don't have a full understanding on How Cook is or was in the past, its no secret, I openly admitted that in my previous post, being I see what everyone else does and I feel I follow Apple closely. The one thing that annoys me most is when forum members say "Jobs would have never done that or this never would have happened under Jobs reign." Its as if someone is pretending they were Jobs/Cooks lunch buddy, when in reality, they see exactly what is presented to them through the media, which is ALL you see. My post still stands, Cook does not have the tenacity and demand Jobs once possessed. Cook has different cues and strengths, but no one could surpass what Jobs did.

Well, if you want to ignore Cook's accomplishments before he was picked by Jobs, and then turnaround and say "Cook just doesn't acquire the tenacity and demand that Jobs had," as if Cook doesn't have qualities of being tenacious and demanding, that's fine. Most would say that's ludicrous. Those are personal qualities that are honed and demonstrated over time and not tied to any specific company roll, such as Jobs'.

Your post still demonstrates a lack of understanding on the scope and magnitude of building a super efficient world class supply chain and manufacturing system, capable of shipping >330M iPhone in less than two years (along with Apple's other products). That's something any other company would be jealous to have. To think that was done without Cook being demanding and tenacious is incredible.

Previously you mentioned the MR discussions on getting an understanding of Cook, so I'll take your word on that.

"Nobody can speak for Jobs and how he envisioned Apple's future. So your opinion is no different than mine, other than you providing me an iPhone number and manufacturer relations."

That's a nice straw man. I never offered an opinion here on how Jobs envisioned Apple's future.

 

[majordude]

When Steve Jobs stepped down from his position as Apple CEO on August 24, 2011 due to illness, he didn't intend to leave the company. Instead Jobs told Recode's Walt Mossberg he planned work on an Apple-branded television set to re-invent the television industry.

Thank god this didn't happen. I can't afford a new iTV every year.

And don't get me started on whether iTV 2 or iTV 2 Plus in black, white or space gray fits better with the decor in my living room.

 

[ErikGrim]

Ohhhh no... Cue the "Apple is nothing without Steve!" nostalgia. Seems to be the whole point of this article...

Mossberg seems to be taking the loss of his friend very hard still. His hatchet job "commemorating" Apple's 5 years with Tim Cook makes that sadly and painfully clear.

 

[cmichaelb]

I still miss TV episode rentals and I'd love to see them back. Just last night I had to go and buy an episode of show for $3 because the corresponding VOD service (NBC) doesn't have. I have no use for the episode once I've watched it, I'm never going to sit down and watch it again.

I have never rented a tv show. I never thought of that.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I still miss TV episode rentals and I'd love to see them back. Just last night I had to go and buy an episode of show for $3 because the corresponding VOD service (NBC) doesn't have. I have no use for the episode once I've watched it, I'm never going to sit down and watch it again.

Wait... you can't rent TV shows anymore? You have to buy them at $3 an episode?

I'm with you... TV is mostly throwaway. Not sure there is much re-watch potential.

 

[Cloudane]

Needed what? We don't even know what Steve supposedly cracked.

Apple's strongarm tactics with the networks, but with Jobs's ability to get it done without being branded difficult. We're in a world where everyone has access to everything, and the networks STILL insist on exclusivity and regionalisation. As such, there are shows in the US that we'd love to watch in the UK and end up watching technically illegally. We'd be throwing money at the screen like "take my money!" and they don't want it because it's not on their terms. It's very silly.

 

[fischersd]

I'm with you... TV is mostly throwaway. Not sure there is much re-watch potential.

Sorry. Buy all of the Sopranos and binge-watch it over 4 or more weekends. . It doesn't matter that we've all seen them...we've forgotten enough (at least those of us in our 40's) that enough is "new again"

Then you have lots of classics from 20, 30 or 40 years ago - remaster them in high def and throw them out there for the masses and they will be consumed.

No, not a fan of the pricing. I still think movies shouldn't cost more than $7 and should be future proofed (once I buy the 1080p version, future-proof me for 4k and 8k - the benefit of keeping my loyalty to your ecosystem).

Also think they should have given us an option of buying movies at a discount if we've already purchased the DVD/Blu-Ray (scan the bar code) - as we've already paid the royalty fees.

 

[44267547]

Well, if you want to ignore Cook's accomplishments before he was picked by Jobs, and then turnaround and say "Cook just doesn't acquire the tenacity and demand that Jobs had," as if Cook doesn't have qualities of being tenacious and demanding, that's fine. Most would say that's ludicrous. Those are personal qualities that are honed and demonstrated over time and not tied to any specific company roll, such as Jobs'.

Your post still demonstrates a lack of understanding on the scope and magnitude of building a super efficient world class supply chain and manufacturing system, capable of shipping >330M iPhone in less than two years (along with Apple's other products). That's something any other company would be jealous to have. To think that was done without Cook being demanding and tenacious is incredible.

Previously you mentioned the MR discussions on getting an understanding of Cook, so I'll take your word on that.

"Nobody can speak for Jobs and how he envisioned Apple's future. So your opinion is no different than mine, other than you providing me an iPhone number and manufacturer relations."

That's a nice straw man. I never offered an opinion here on how Jobs envisioned Apple's future.

Typical Macrumors discussion where you state I am ignoring Cook's accomplishments and yet you refute anything I say about Cook, but ignore any of the questions I asked you in my previous post. So I will go ahead and predict the ending to this discussion and that is...there won't be an ending clearly, because you fail to understand my reasoning behind my third post to you, being I fail to understand your logic on the scope of Apple, and on and on we go, vice versa.

I am not ignoring anything regarding Cook, I simply stated Cook, to ME (I speak for no one else), appears he does not have the two qualities I mentioned umpteen times to you. Yet, you rebuttal anything I say, because your clearly the argumentative type that has to prove its a numbers game to eliminate my two qualities I stated Cook is lacking. As if your stats you commented on, will influence my thoughts of a "Super efficient world class supply chain." I'm not entirely sure what your trying to prove to me, other than you believe I have a lack of understanding of how Apple operates, which I do not have an entire understanding on its core operations, and neither do you in its entirety.

One thing I want to make clear, I am all for Apple and I am a believer in Cook, no matter what garbage is posted on him, which is prevalent on a daily basis. But I don't know how else to say it to you, other than I feel Cook demonstrates different qualities than Jobs did in and out of the lime light, He. Just. Does.... You mention I have a lack of understanding in the operation of Apple and behind the scenes, where it appears your deficient in your lack of understanding in their Interpersonal traits, are we getting somewhere now?

"That's a nice straw man." Snark, snide, petulant comment, that cheapens the discussion, which is a good way to end this debate before comments turn into back handed insults. I think this discussion has expired its agenda.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Sorry. Buy all of the Sopranos and binge-watch it over 4 or more weekends. . It doesn't matter that we've all seen them...we've forgotten enough (at least those of us in our 40's) that enough is "new again"

Then you have lots of classics from 20, 30 or 40 years ago - remaster them in high def and throw them out there for the masses and they will be consumed.

I said TV is mostly throwaway.

For every Sopranos... there are 50 other terrible shows.

My point was... it's a shame that you can't rent shows anymore.

If you can only purchase shows... you better be sure they are good... since you now OWN them.

Not all shows are good though.

 

[chiefsilverback]

Wait... you can't rent TV shows anymore? You have to buy them at $3 an episode?

I'm with you... TV is mostly throwaway. Not sure there is much re-watch potential.

Old article... https://www.macstories.net/links/ap...tomers-overwhelmingly-prefer-buying-tv-shows/

 

[MisterK]

A few points I would love addressed for a great TV experience (and I'm talking about experience in the  sense — hardware, software, services).

Make it beautiful, build a Kinect style sensor in the set, and figure out a mounting system that's better than what's out there. It can be proprietary.

Stick with an App model but have a navigation option where I can channel flick between my Live or even pre-recorded video apps. Live TV's brain dead flicking between channels is actually a feature. Sometimes you have time to watch something and don't know what to watch. The on-demand silence while you pick can range from slightly annoying to awkward depending on if you're watching alone or with others. Maybe some sort of partnership or creation of a stumbleupon type thing based on preferences?

Make better use of the interactivity inherent with a camera and two way connection. I'd love to see Apple pioneer shows that include an audience component. Voting in shows right on the screen. Game shows where you could opt in to a lottery to participate Live up on your couch (with proper vetting of course). Microsoft did some great interactive Sesame Street stuff with Kinect a while ago where episodes had characters encourage kids to do stuff and would just move on to the next segment for more of a lean back experience if kids showed they'd rather just watch. With all the tech, it would be interesting to have more range between lean back and lean in.

Incentivize medium sized game publishers. The TV demands larger experiences than what are currently mostly mobile ports. And people won't pay $50 for non console experiences. But there's a wide range inbetween. I would actually buy Nintendo if I was Apple, but this problem should be addressed either way.

Create their own content AND fully support networks. I'd love to see what Apple comes up with but need my Game of Thrones. Keep pursuing this $40 bundle because that sounds amazing to me.

 

[gri]

what did steve jobs say on his death bed?

Jumpin' Jehosephat! I figured it out!

All jokes aside Apple Tv hasn't lived up to the quality that is expected of an apple product.

So much potential yet so fail.

Many products lately haven't lived up to the quality that was expected of an Apple product.
[doublepost=1472847802][/doublepost]

I said TV is mostly throwaway.

For every Sopranos... there are 50 other terrible shows.

My point was... it's a shame that you can't rent shows anymore.

Eh - iTunes...? Correct me if I am wrong but can you only buy them there? I am mostly looking at movies, so not sure.

 

[Black Belt]

You'll actually pay far more for ESPN and there's still a decent chance it will go out of business too.

While ESPN may be the most in demand channel in the current bundle, that doesn't mean enough people want to see it to buy subscriptions to keep it going. If you unbundle that means they receive money from far far less subscribers as many don't care about their channel just as many don't like Outdoor Network. They'll be forced to raise their price far above what they get in the current bundled service and there's a high chance they'll go under as they can't get enough subscribers.

Too bad, so sad.

 

[MacGuffin]

Old Steve was out to lunch on this one. As it turns out, TV never needed him or Apple at all.

 

[scaramoosh]

Did you know Apple will say Steve Jobs signed off on everything they do for 20 years to come?

 

[Cigsm]

Lol did you just say Apple had one of their worst years in iPhone history? This was their second biggest sales year ever. EVER. The iPhone is once again the top selling phone in the world by a large margin. Shareholders dropping millions of shares while other shareholders buy millions of shares. Which is why Apple is worth far far far more now then they ever were under Jobs.

Without being petulant, You responded exactly how I thought you would by categorizing me into your quote "And instead

Cook is worthy of being acknowledged for many things, but again, not the tenacity and demand Jobs once had. So you suspect Jobs passed the leadership roll to Cook precisely for that achievement? How do you know this? Did Jobs for see Apple as it is now in their current state? Did Jobs envision Apple having one of the worst years in iPhone history with a reported net loss? Did Jobs fully understand how Apple has strayed away from providing new hardware, more specifically the lack of updated Macbooks? Which correct me if I am wrong, is the reason Apple is what is today? Did Jobs ever ponder how his shareholders would dump millions in shares? Clearly your precise analogy is no greater than anyone else's here on Macrumors for that matter.

Nobody can speak for Jobs and how he envisioned Apple's future. So your opinion is no different than mine, other than you providing me an iPhone number and manufacturer relations. I see Cook as leader in terms of Apple's well being, but not the drive Jobs had.

If your left convinced I don't have a full understanding on How Cook is or was in the past, its no secret, I openly admitted that in my previous post, being I see what everyone else does and I feel I follow Apple closely. The one thing that annoys me most is when forum members say "Jobs would have never done that or this never would have happened under Jobs reign." Its as if someone is pretending they were Jobs/Cooks lunch buddy, when in reality, they see exactly what is presented to them through the media, which is ALL you see. My post still stands, Cook does not have the tenacity and demand Jobs once possessed. Cook has different cues and strengths, but no one could surpass what Jobs did.