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They say no man is an island, but can a man be a company?

Due to his self-professed inability to fully meet his duties and expectations Steve Jobs announced he was stepping down as Apple's CEO this week and the tech press exploded in all kinds of punditry ranging from messianic references to, in a few case, indifference.

I myself fall somewhere in the soft chewy centre. Ever since I discovered the iPhone 3G I have been a bit of an Apple fan and have enjoyed the myriad of rumours that surround the Apple world, I have lapped up the keynotes whenever Mr Jobs feigned to unveil a new technological marvel on the world and have invariably purchased said item shortly afterwards. However I have also suffered the frustration of some of Apples products and services falling short of their lofty promises and descriptions. Fortunately, coming from a Windows background, I am always prepared for tech to fall a little short of it's claimed goals and so my experiences were never more than annoyances that could be overcome.

Steve Jobs is defiantly an expert salesman. There is just something so captivating about his keynotes and his ability to present a vision of how technology can help its users become more productive. His style of not bleating on about cold technological specifications but instead describing how Apple products can allow you to release your creative side is genius.

I truly believe Steve has a grand vision for this company. One he was willing and did chase as the companies CEO. The way many of the Apple's products seem to work together over the last few years is impressive, Airplay being the classic example. Although it is possible to replicate Airplay type services on a Windows machine there is just something so elegant in how Airplay works between an iPad/iPhone and an Apple TV. Will the new CEO, Tim Cook, be able to replicate the success that Jobs brought to the position? Only time will tell us but you can guarantee, for the next few years at least, most of the road map has already been planned out by Steve. Only when Tim Cook is solely behind the steering wheel will we begin to see Apple's new direction.

It would be remiss of me and anyone else to fail to mention the fact that Steve pulled Apple out of a slump and turned it into one of the biggest companies in the world. This fact alone shows the powerful ability of the man with his desire and vision for the Apple brand. Will the people he is leaving in charge be able to maintain that almost laser-like ability to create and follow a vision in this age of instant profits and demanding shareholders? Again only time will tell.

One thing I am sad about is the two great giants of the Tech world have now both retired. Even to non-techies the names of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were known. They have jointly shaped the modern personal computer world as we know it and their legacy will continue to influence the computer markets for many years to come.

Happy retirement Steve, you've earned it.

Author

Ewen Rankin

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