Steve Jobs Steps Down from Apple

Breaking News!

Steve Job is taking a leave of abscence from Apple after being plagued by rumors of his serious health issues. To date pundits, blogs, and news agencies have speculated over the mysterious weight loss Steve has suffered over the past two years. His abscence from many of Apple’s major events, and this official stance on pulling out of MacWorld futher fueled the idea that Steve Jobs was on his death bed.

While that is not the case based on the official statement, there is no doubt that Apple stock will take a serious hit due to this announcement, and speculation will continue on regarding the validity of this statement.

I personally wish him well. As fan of Apple Inc., their computers, their consumer product, and their innovation in the market. I truly hope we see this amazing man come back before 2009 closes.

Here is the official word from Steve Jobs himself which can be found HERE on Apple’s website:

Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve

BREAKING NEWS: Apple Not Part of MacWorld Expo

My writings, my podcasts, and basically my predictions have come true. Today it was announced that Apple will no longer be a part of MacWorld Expo, the very event that was almost defined by the very company.

“Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it will be Apple’s last keynote at the show.”

This is monumental ladies and gentleman, MacWorld was defined as the definitive spot where Steve Jobs, Apple, black turtle necks, and Mac fanboys. Whether it’s the economy, or the reason they state in the press release, it’s not surprising that Apple would make this move.

For those of us that have been around long enough to look fondly on this Expo, this is indeed an end of an era. Without the draw of Apple, what will become of this once dominant conference?

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iPhone “Epic Fail” in Japan

It’s a known fact that mobile devices in Japan are just better, plain and simple. Doubt me? Mobile devices in Japan have been proven to be years advanced their stateside counterparts. For years now mobile devices, especially cell phones, have been able to receive TV, music, take photos, etc. Just as we attempt to close the gap, the Japanese take their phones to another level of increasing the quality of picture and audio, but also increasing the use of these devices. Phone overseas have been able to scan items for pricing for years already, and they’ve also been used as debit cards and train passes.

So what does Apple and Steve Jobs plan to provide for their customers in the Land of the Rising Sun? Well…nothing. While units were expected to hit sales of 1 million units, when all is said and done they will be lucky to have sold 500,000. Not good. Apple’s offerings with the iPhone just don’t compete with the already existing high end phones that are available to both the consumer and professional market.

Released just over three months ago, the iPhone which saw explosive sales the first few weeks of release has taken a drastic nosedive. Selling out immediately on July 11th, with lines of people ready to purchase is the complete opposite of the sites now, where sellers stock their windows with iPhones, promoting specials, and looking for ways to move the inventory with little to no luck.

Since Apple could not wow them with their song and dance, what will it take for Apple to break into the Japanese market? We saw similar experiences when Microsoft released the first iteration of the X-box, which impressive sales at first, but then falling off the charts. Steve and Co. might need to go back to the drawing board for our eastern friends and think of a plan to counter an already established market.