11/19, 1:00pm
Criticizes dev for responding to legal threat
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has chastised a Mac developer in response to a letter regarding a name change, reports say. The CEO of Little App Factory, John Devor, says he was recently served a notice by Apple lawfirm Baker & McKenzie, asking him to change the name of iPodRip, a program used to transfer content from an iPod or iPhone back to a Mac. Devor decided to plead his case with Jobs directly, writing an elaborate e-mail message.
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11/13, 12:45pm
Notes company was on verge of collapse
Former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, speaking on a Thursday-night CNBC program, is noted to have complimented Steve Jobs on his return to Apple, crediting him for effectively saving the company. Gates was on TV as part of a "Keeping America Great" town hall event, paired with billionaire investor Warren Buffett. One audience member asked Gates' opinion of Jobs, specifically in regards to the latter's contributions as a CEO.
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11/05, 11:05am
Magazine claims revolutionary impact
Apple head Steve Jobs has been chosen as Fortune's CEO of the Decade. The magazine claims that "the past decade in business belongs to Jobs," not only because of his personal and corporate wealth, but the way he has "radically and lucratively reordered three markets," specifically movies, music and cellphones. His impact is also said to extend to computers, though it is less pronounced.
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10/28, 10:20am
Company makes gains in iTunes, losses in iPods
Apple has published an official 10-K statement for its 2009 fiscal year, revealing some broader trends. The company for instance sold 54 million iPods, 1 percent less than in 2008; the result was more damaging in financial terms, bringing in 12 percent less revenue at $8.091 billion. Lower selling prices are said to be blame, as each iPod is estimated to have brought in an average of $149, as compared to $167 in 2008.
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10/22, 3:00pm
Disney Keychest may have Apple's help
Disney is developing an approach to digital media that would eliminate the need for device-specific rights, the company said late yesterday (subscription required). Unofficially known as Keychest, it would copy protect content but give lifetime permission to access that content a given number of devices. It would behave as a more universal form of the rights management of Amazon Video On Demand and let users save space by streaming content, though downloads wouldn't be an option.
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10/13, 5:45pm
Apple exec beats out more publicized competition
Apple executive Steve Jobs is the most admired celebrity entrepreneur in the US, at least amongst tweens and teenagers, claims the youth organization Junior Achievement. The group recently surveyed 1,000 people aged 12 to 17, asking them to pick a name from a predefined list. Jobs was chosen by 35 percent of respondents, beating out talk show host Oprah Winfrey at 25 percent, and skateboarder Tony Hawk at 16 percent. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg attained 10 percent.
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10/13, 11:45am
Disney aims to remake and expand outlets
Disney's retail division is turning to Apple and its CEO, Steve Jobs, for help in redesigning its 340 American and European retail stores, says the New York Times. The Disney aim is to attract more children to the outlets and keep them there longer, as a consequence keeping parents there, who may feel more pressured to buy. The centerpiece of the redesign is a theater, which will allow kids to select and watch film clips, sing in karaoke contests, or speak live to Disney Channel celebrities via satellite hookup.
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10/05, 11:45am
Questions of practicality impede progress
Apple has been working on a rumored tablet computer since at least 2003, claims a group of the company's former workers. Although a final tablet may only be released in early 2010, 2003 is said to have seen the creation of a PowerPC-based prototype, one which would have been impractical for anyone to use. "It couldn't be built," says Joshua Strickland, a former Apple engineer. "The battery life wasn't long enough, the graphics performance was not enough to do anything and the components themselves cost more than $500."
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09/30, 9:40pm
Executive climbs 18 positions from last year
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has risen to the 43rd spot amongst Forbes 400 Richest Americans. The iconic chief previously held the 61st position with an estimated net worth of approximately $5.7 billion. Forbes describes Jobs as the "cultish king of the iGeeks," while mentioning the persistent rumors of an Apple tablet device.
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09/26, 7:00pm
Intel Light Peak made just for Apple
Intel's recently unveiled 10-gigabit Light Peak connection standard was actually created at Apple's specific request, according to a major leak. While pitched at IDF as an Intel-made design, the fiber optic connection is now said to have been the direct result of talks between Apple founder Steve Jobs and Intel chief Paul Otellini. Engadget claims that Apple wants a single, high-speed connection standard that would not only take the place of FireWire or USB but also the video and Ethernet signals.
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09/10, 12:00pm
First post-event interview
The third-gen iPod touch has not been given a camera because Apple wants to think of it as a gaming device, according to company CEO Steve Jobs. Speaking with David Pogue of the New York Times, Jobs attributes the marketing shift to public demand. "We started to market it that way, and it just took off," he says. "And now what we really see is it’s the lowest-cost way to the App Store, and that’s the big draw."
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09/09, 10:55pm
New iPod introductions detailed in Apple keynote
Apple has published a podcast of its "Rock & Roll" media event held Wednesday in San Francisco, marking Steve Jobs' first keynote since receiving a liver transplant during a leave of absence. The iconic CEO was met with a lengthy standing ovation before he acknowledged the transplant and procedure and expressed thanks for the generosity of the organ donor.
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09/09, 1:20pm
Jobs presents at iPod event
Apple chief Steve Jobs today marked his formal return to the stage since returning to work from a nearly six-month medical leave, presenting at his company's special "Rock & Roll" music event. The executive didn't provide many details of the liver transplant that is already known to have triggered the leave but did mention that the transplant, which took place five months ago, gave him the liver of a person who had died in a car crash.
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09/01, 9:55am
Piper, Kaufman on Jobs
Two major analysts are split on whether Steve Jobs will take the stage at next week's Apple publicity event. Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray suggests that he will, in a move that could serve as the "first public confirmation of Jobs' health since his return to the company." Munster notes that Jobs' last presentation for an Apple event was on October 14th of last year, when he helped to introduce the first unibody MacBooks.
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08/31, 9:50am
SEC probes Apple trades
The Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an investigation into suspicious trading of Apple stock, internal documents are said to show. The government body is at present thought to be polling brokerage firms, asking for the names of clients who bought and sold Apple shares during four distinct time periods. It is rare for the SEC to deal with cases involving more than one period of trading, a report says.
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08/24, 9:55pm
Jobs Devoted to Tablet
Apple chief Steve Jobs has spent "almost all" his time since his return to work developing the heavily rumored tablet device, according to sources close to the company. Those "people familiar with the matter" tell the WSJ that the executive is committing a level of attention to the project not seen since the original iPhone's development. The sheer control has reportedly been a shock to some workers, who during Jobs' roughly six-month medical leave had some relative freedom on projects.
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08/21, 10:00am
Jobs' surgeon speaks
Apple CEO Steve Jobs did not bypass waiting lists in traveling to Memphis for his liver transplant, says the surgeon who treated him. James Eason, the head of transplantation at Methodist University Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is now speaking publicly on the matter for the first time. "It's not gaming the system," he says. "It's people choosing where they want their health care. Some people would leave Tennessee to go to California or somewhere else to seek treatment. Now we have people coming from California to Tennessee."
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08/17, 10:50am
Apple media control effort
Apple tried twice to interfere with the publication of a profile of Steve Jobs in the UK's Sunday Times newspaper, says the article's author, Bryan Appleyard. One PR representative from the company is said to have spoken with Appleyard directly, insisting that Apple wants to "discourage profiles." The company then contacted the editor of the Times, asking to have the article withheld entirely.
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08/13, 1:50pm
Apple Event Sept 7 Rumor
Apple's by now yearly music event is tipped for exactly one week into September, multiple sources have claimed on Thursday. Those in the music industry say Apple has told them to expect an event for the week of September 7th, or the same week as the Labor Day holiday. As this reportedly includes label executives, All Things D infers a likely iTunes focus that could include the rumored Cocktail format for full albums.
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08/08, 3:50pm
iTunes 9 May Get Blu-ray
iTunes 9 could center on the addition of Blu-ray movie playback, according to a rumor floated on Saturday. A veteran source for BGR says that the Apple jukebox software, which currently can't play any videos on disc, will gain support for the HD movie format. It would also reportedly gain some level of interaction with Facebook, Twitter and potentially the Internet radio service Last.fm. It would also supposedly be possible to reorganize iPhone apps.
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07/30, 9:25am
Jobs, Apple at CES 2010?
Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, has been asked to keynote the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in January, says the head of the Consumer Electronics Association. Gary Shapiro notes that he has extended a formal invitation to Jobs, but that neither Jobs nor Apple have yet responded. Jobs has sometimes failed to answer other contact attempts in the past, Shapiro comments.
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07/23, 11:35am
Jobs' leave pay disclosed
(Updated with correction) Apple CEO Steve Jobs was compensated approximately $132,000 during his 2009 medical leave, which ended in June, a filing with the SEC reveals. The company recently submitted a 10-Q form to go along with its third-quarter results; among other details, the form shows $102,000 in expense payments to Jobs during Q3, following a substantially lower $30,000 presented during Q2. The payments are notable in that they were meant to cover business use of Jobs' private jet, which was likely reduced during the executive's recuperation.
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07/16, 10:10am
Steve Jobs at Coldplay gig
Apple CEO Steve Jobs was recently spotted by a roadie outside the dressing room of British rock band Coldplay, accounts say. The incident occurred at a Tuesday night concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater outside of San Francisco, and is notable as the first public sighting of Jobs since his return to work earlier this month. Jobs is a self-professed music lover, and was seen speaking with Dave Holmes, a TV host and celebrity news writer.
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07/13, 10:10am
Heritage group v. Jobs
A California heritage group is continuing to object to plans to dispose of Jackling House, currently owned by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, writes Bloomberg. The executive recently forged a pact with investor Gordon Smythe, who has agreed to disassemble the historic mansion and move it to another location. The building was originally slated to be demolished by Jobs, as a part of plans to construct a newer and smaller home in its place.
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07/10, 8:30am
Google CEO Talks to Apple
Google chief Eric Schmidt last evening said he would talk to Apple to determine whether or not he should recuse himself from the Mac maker's board of directors following the unveiling of Chrome OS. The executive told those at Allen & Co's technology conference that there is currently "no issue" with his remaining on the board but that he will ask Apple if it sees a conflict of interest to have another desktop operating system developer involved in its decisions. Apple itself hasn't commented on any possible change in relationship.
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07/08, 9:50am
SEC Jobs probe continues
The Securities and Exchange Commission is continuing with a probe into Steve Jobs' health, Bloomberg sources say. Investigators have been concerned that the company did not properly disclose its CEO's medical condition, which could have and arguably has had an impact on investors. Much of the company's direction is said to be attributable to Jobs, who also serves as the center of intense media focus.
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06/29, 6:00pm
Staff comments on Jobs
Apple employees have allegedly observed that Steve Jobs is 'looking good' on his first official day back at the company headquarters, according to The Loop. The CEO still appeared thin following a liver transplant procedure, although he is said to have shown "more color in his face and looked happy."
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06/29, 1:45pm
Jobs returns to Apple
Steve Jobs has resumed his active role at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, following a six-month leave of absence, according to Bloomberg. The CEO initially will be present only a few days a week during the transition to his normal duties. Although Jobs will still spend some time at home, he is expected to quickly resume a full schedule.
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06/25, 9:30am
Buffett on Jobs' health
Apple was negligent when it failed to mention Steve Jobs' liver transplant, claims prominent American investor Warren Buffett. Speaking with CNBC, Buffett argues that the surgery was a "material fact" relevant to investors, and hence something the company should have disclosed. "If I have any serious illness, or something coming up of an important nature, an operation or anything like that, I think the thing to do is just tell the American, the Berkshire [Hathaway] shareholders about it," he comments. "I work for 'em. Some people might think I'm important to the company."
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06/24, 11:50am
Jackling House moving
Steve Jobs may finally be in a position to divest himself of Jackling House, writes the Silicon Valley Mercury News. While the Apple CEO recently won a vote allowing him to demolish the mansion in favor of building a smaller home, continuing opposition has been anticipated from Uphold Our Heritage, a local preservation group which notes that the house represents one of the last examples of a Spanish Colonial Revival-style edifice. The group has previously called for the building to be renovated, even though the costs would potentially exceed those of building a new home.
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06/24, 10:00am
Cook as important as Jobs?
Apple's chief operating officer, Tim Cook, may now be as important to the company as CEO Steve Jobs, Gene Munster tells the Wall Street Journal. The Piper Jaffray analyst explains that Cook did so well taking over the reins during Jobs' medical leave, it may mean the company would suffer more if he left than if Jobs did. "At this point, losing Tim Cook would be a bigger deal to investors than if Steve Jobs stepped aside. Just that thought makes my stomach tighten up," says Munster.
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06/23, 10:35pm
Jobs transplant confirmed
Confirming earlier reports that Steve Jobs traveled to Tennessee for transplant surgery, the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute on Tuesday acknowledged the Apple executive did, in fact, receive a liver transplant. The operation was announced by James D. Eason, M.D., the Program Director, with consent from Jobs to release the information.
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06/23, 7:45pm
Jobs mansion in Memphis
Following reports that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant in Tennessee, a number of Memphis residents believe the executive secretly purchased a mansion in an upscale district in Memphis. The property is allegedly located on Morning Place, a quiet cul-de-sac with homes set back amongst old-growth oaks, according to the Memphis Flyer.
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06/23, 10:40am
Apple's security culture
The level of secrecy in Apple's corporate culture is "super paranoid," say people with experience in the company. The issue has come into particular focus with news of a liver transplant performed on CEO Steve Jobs, which despite its relevance to workers and investors has been kept outside of public knowledge for two months. A senior official, typically said to be more open to talking with the media, has refused to disclose anything to the New York Times. "Just can't do it. Too sensitive," he says.
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06/22, 11:50pm
Steve Jobs back to work?
Steve Jobs reportedly was present at Apple's campus on Monday, according to several witness accounts. An unnamed Reuters reporter claims to have spotted the executive at the company headquarters, where he chatted with another person while wearing his black turtleneck and bluejeans. If true, Jobs' presence at the Apple headquarters could indicate he is again taking hold of the reins following a six month leave of absence.
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06/14, 10:10pm
Jackling house photographs
Photographs of the Jackling house, a mansion Steve Jobs aims to demolish and build over, have surfaced on MacMagazine. The Brazilian news outlet photographed the mansion while on a day trip to visit areas frequented by Steve Jobs. Photographs were also taken of the infamous garage in which Jobs founded Apple, and his current home in Palo Alto.
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06/05, 9:40am
Jobs on track for return
Steve Jobs should be set to return to full CEO duties with Apple later this month, sources say. The executive has been on medical leave since January, as a result of an unspecified "hormonal imbalance" that led to severe weight loss. Some investors have expressed concern that Jobs might never return, in part because he is a survivor of pancreatic cancer; a recurrence of the disease has been considered a possibility.
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05/28, 2:45pm
Steve Jobs back at Apple?
(Update with author correction) Apple CEO Steve Jobs is once again appearing at the company's Cupertino headquarters, unidentified sources claim. Evidence comes from a photo, showing what is believed to be Jobs' Mercedes SL55 AMG sitting in a handicapped spot within the company parking lot. A key identifier is the license plate; Jobs has a rare government exception, allowing him to use a barcode instead of letters for the sake of safety and privacy.
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05/27, 3:40pm
Woz on Jobs health
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak claims that Steve Jobs "doesn't sound like he's sick," and does not seem to be enduring a serious health issue, according to The Wall Street Journal. Wozniak made the comments at the All Things D conference, providing his impression of Jobs' health based on a phone conversation. Although the co-founder admitted he did not directly ask about health issues, Jobs did sound "healthy, energetic."
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05/14, 7:00pm
Jobs' account hacked?
Steve Jobs' Amazon account has supposedly been hacked, claims an individual identifying himself as "orin0co," according to Cult of Mac. The hacker asserts he was able to gain access to the account by sending Jobs a forged, official-looking e-mail to Jobs, tricking the Apple CEO to log into a fake Amazon account, and subsequently providing the hacker with the personal login information.
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05/14, 9:40am
Piper on Jobs, iPhone
Apple may not expose any new iPhones at this year's WWDC keynote, claims Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Although an announcement of new hardware is anticipated by most analysts and the media, Munster argues that wording in Apple's keynote press release may have been deliberately geared to alter expectations. The company may instead focus on Mac OS X Snow Leopard at WWDC, despite the operating system's distance from release.
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05/13, 9:25am
Jobs wins Woodside battle
Steve Jobs has won the right to demolish his 14-bedroom mansion in Woodside, California, the town's council has decided. Reports say that the council voted six-to-one in favor of Jobs' plan, which -- short of a last-minute legal intervention -- should see the destruction of Jackling House, a Spanish-style structure originally built for copper mining giant Daniel Jackling in 1925. Preservationists have argued that the mansion is a part of California history, and should be restored rather than torn down.
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04/29, 12:00pm
Jobs skips Woodside meet
Apple CEO Steve Jobs was absent from a Tuesday town council meeting over the fate of his historic Woodside property, writes the Palo Alto Daily News. Representing Jobs was lawyer Howard Ellman, who claimed that ongoing medical problems would prevent Jobs from actively participating in the debate. "I don't think he would be strong enough if we were here until 1 AM, and I think there's a strong possibility of that," said Ellman early into the proceedings.
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04/26, 4:55pm
Jobs vs preservationists
Steve Jobs is set to make yet another attempt to demolish his historic house in Woodside, California, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Previous attempts to destroy the "Jackling House" met with resistance from a preservationist group, Uphold Our Heritage, that argued the 85-year-old property should be restored or sold to a buyer willing to renovate. The home sits on six acres of wooded land, with 30 rooms, 14 bedrooms and 13.5 bathrooms. The original architect, George Washington Smith, utilized the Spanish Colonial Revival Style.
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04/23, 5:00pm
Jobs on backdating scandal
The backdating scandal which threatened Apple from 2006 through to 2008 had its origins in a perceived lack of respect, claims Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Testimony from a March 2008 SEC deposition, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, reveals that according to the executive, he approached the board of directors in 2001 about a stock option grant. "It wasn't so much about the money," Jobs comments in his statement. "Everybody likes to be recognized by his peers...I felt that the board wasn't really doing the same with me."
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04/13, 12:35am
Jobs active at Apple
Despite Steve Jobs' lengthy leave of absence, the CEO has still maintained active involvement in activities at Apple, unnamed sources told the Wall Street Journal. From home, Jobs reportedly continues to oversee and direct high-priority strategies, while influencing and reviewing the most important products.
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03/10, 3:20pm
Jobs re-elected to Disney
(Update with MarketWatch retraction) Steve Jobs made an appearance at a Disney shareholders' meeting Tuesday morning, reports indicate. The Apple CEO is said to have been re-elected to the Disney board at the meeting, following a renomination process which took place in January. The entire previous board has in fact been re-elected, with no shareholder raising an objection to any of the candidates.
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02/26, 9:45am
Apple shareholder Q-and-A
Apple's board of directors faced pointed questions during Wednesday's shareholders' meeting, directed a variety of topics. In a Q&A session held during the event, the topic immediately switched to the health of CEO Steve Jobs, whose absence from the room served as a reminder that the executive is on an extended medical leave through the month of June. Board member Arthur Levinson attempted to reassure shareholders, explaining that the group discloses information when it is considered both important and proper to do so. Possible succession plans come up regularly in talks, said Levinson.
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02/25, 10:00pm
Apple board reassuring
Apple's board members at the annual shareholders meeting tried to boost investor confidence in the company despite Steve Jobs' absence. "I'm confident in the future of the company," said COO Tim Cook, the executive filling in for the CEO during his leave of absence. Cook also reminded the audience that Jobs still plans on returning to company after June.
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02/25, 3:35pm
Apple board re-elected
Choosing at an annual meeting, Apple shareholders have voted to re-elect all members of the company's current board of directors. These include Al Gore, Intuit CEO Bill Campbell, J. Crew CEO Millard Drexler, Avon CEO Andrea Jung, Genentech head Arthur Levinson, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Harwinton Capital leader Jerome York. Most critical may be the re-election of Apple's own CEO, Steve Jobs, who together with the rest of the board will serve for at least one more year.
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