UNEASYsilence Macworld Prediction: *CHANGE* is in the Air
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Everyone in the blog world immediately speculated when the “There’s Something In The Air” banner was hung at the Moscone center that Apple was releasing a new PRODUCT called “MacBook Air.”
We are choosing to venture that not a PRODUCT is in the air (Unless Apple is releasing iAnthrax) rather CHANGE is.
We know that Apple has been secretly working to find a suitable replacement for Steve Jobs ever since he underwent a successful cancer operation in 2004.
Celebrating his 10th anniversary at the company and after guiding the beleaguered company from the brink of bankruptcy, now would be an appropriate time to step down. He has consistently delivered quarter after quarter of record revenue and profits, launched several revolutionary devices, changed the face of shopping, revitalized the music industry, locked horns with movie studios, and started a mobile phone revolution. Why not leave the company when you are at the top of your game, instead of the way he left in 1985?
As you can see, the simple fact that the FONT is different on the banner – it indicates that Apple is changing.
Our official prediction for Macworld 2008: Steve Jobs will announce a phased retirement passing the reins of Apple to Phil Schiller or Jonathan Ive.
Why at Macworld? Well, first Apple moved Macworld not to overlap with CES like last year so they have the UNDIVIDED spotlight (also of note Macworld and CES again overlap in 2009). Macworld is the time the Apple has the worlds attention and Steve Jobs speaks directly to the Mac faithful. Steve can carefully and systematically explain why he made the decision and convince the world WHY it is a good decision. There is no other better time to make such an announcement, right?
Guess we will see the official announcement on Tuesday. Before you flame it up in the comments our predictions are just as accurate as any other prediction any other Apple fan site, it is simple an educated guess built upon the collection of well supported facts.
Please let this not be true.
You know I’m a fanboy when I’m telling you I’m crying (like Chris Crocker)… Don’t Drown my Macworld hopes.
no. not steve jobs
This is apparently correct. B. Gates is apparently taking over, since he no longer has a gig.
It’ll be a sad day when Steve steps down, he’s been an incredible inspiration to the Mac community (obviously :P); in fact, I gave a keynote at my college a few months ago to the faculty and staff and I modeled my entire presentation style after Steve. You know what, it worked – they loved the presentation and bought into everything I was saying. Basically, what I’m saying is without his motivation behind Apple, I don’t know where the company will go; who could adequately replace him?
I can see the stock dropping now…
Unlikely – it would be a mere copy cat move of Bill Gates.
It’s certainly possible, and inevitable. At some point, Jobs is going to have to step down. I hope it’s later rather than soon, but I do hope he does it while he’s near the top. I wouldn’t want to see his name dragged through the mud again like it did in the early 90’s.
It’d be nice if he said he was going to stay on as the master creative force behind Apple, but just in a more limited fashion for day to day activities.
Though secretly, I’d love to see Ive take the reins. Something about a designer being the CEO of a major tech company is awesome.
Ah, Steve ‘ll leave eventually. I really do wonder who will replace him though… Phil I wouldn’t mind at all, even though he isn’t that exciting as Steve. But if Johnny replaced him…oooh, i’d be buying everything he introduces :)
Eh.. I bet everyones wrong anyway. Skip the guessing and just wait I say..
He said in a CNBC interview after Macworld in 2007 that as long as the board wants him there, he’s here to stay.
They havent appeared to have changed the typeface. It still looks like Myriad, just regular as opposed to bold
Not a chance. Apple would never elect to advertise a departure as much as this, or make it the centerpiece of their Macworld showcase. Whatever is coming is supposed to be mysterious and exciting, not emotional.
I do agree that change on this scale amounts to something beyond technological innovation, but something more along the lines of business strategy, partnership, or perhaps even a merger…
Well maybe, but that’s hardly what all the posters/banners/secret material is about ?! I don’t really see Apple basing the next 6 months of income on Steve Jobs stepping down.
If it is in fact Steve Jobs that the poster is referring to, then creepy mac cultishness has reached a whole new level. It’s one thing for it to be a big deal (which it would be from a business point of view), it’s another to embrace a corporate cult of personality…
I don’t understand why everyone jumps to conclusion that this year is the year Steve is going to step down. I don’t think it’s his time yet. I know it’s just speculation, but for real.. Just because Bill is stepping down from Microsoft, it doesn’t mean Steve is too. Not yet!
The article says, “Why not leave the company when you are at the top of your game, instead of the way he left in 1985?”
That’s very true, but right now, I personally think they are reaching it. Apple is doing so well and they are doing better and better each month, to have such a big change in the company staff right now would just be an asinine move.
I think there is something else going down at macworld this year. Probably 3G iPhone or something like that, I don’t think 2008 is Steve’s year, yet.
*cough*it’satypefacenotafont*cough*
Nasty cough we designers get sometimes.
The font isn’t really different. Usually Apple uses Myriad Pro Semibold, the font on the banner looks like Myriad Pro Light… Same typeface, different weight.
I say heavy odds against him stepping down as CEO, and nearly impossible odds of him removing himself from the board of directors too. Sure, change is a good thing, but Steve leaving would decapitate the company right now.
I do think Jonathan Ive will take a higher position at Apple, but I don’t think everything will start with Steve stepping down. Might set the tone for a sour _ _ _ _ _.
What will our lord and jobs proclaim with his sermon on the stage?
if he does step down, I hope the next guy sells his soul to the devil in exchange for forward thinking ideas and focus on clean, well engineered, and well designed product lines.
so how you explain “MacBookAir” in AdiumX site stats and buyed domains (via macrumors)?
I agree it’s not necessarily a product, but I don’t think Jobs is ready to hand over the keys. I have a feeling music and video downloads will be in the air. Rentals! Unless Apple is starting a new airline. ;)
I doubt they’d announce a 3G iPhone unless it’s shipping immediately. Otherwise they’d cannibalize sales of the existing model.
Maybe it has something to do with wireless? Heh.
…shutting up and waiting for keynote…
Has anyone seen this which is aparantly a leaked version of jobs speech?
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/14/leaked_keynote/
@Shiftlocked
How does anyone expect Steve to accidentally post his keynote on wikipedia?
It’s a fact that Jobs sometimes makes changes to his Keynote just before he presents it. I’m sure it’s nicely tucked hidden on his MacBook Air…
Well the article does say that it might not be legitimate :D
Damn tho if they have a new macbook coming out, will have to save harder. One day I will rid work of my pc and have a nice dual screen setup
“Leaked” keynote scripts are a common occurrence this time of year. It’s like the equivalent of certain rabbits in the March/April months…
Wait…. No new displays in years….
How about a display that rests on a glass/plexiglass footing instead of the now silver footing? So it looks like the display (read: OS) is floating in air?