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Posts with tag stevejobs

Apple Co-Founder Stars In Kinda Funny Outerwear Webisodes


After enjoying a lucrative career after co-founding Apple with Steve Jobs, Steve "The Woz" Wozniak can do whatever he wants. He's dated Kathy Griffin (to each, their own), played on a Segway polo team, and is now starring in a collection of online ads for a clothing company.

The commercials are for SCOTTEVEST, which designs clothes with numerous pockets and unique features to incorporate gadgets, so it's no wonder they'd go with someone like Woz. Two of the 'Woz-i-sodes' are up now, featuring the corpulent computer man in a 'Star Wars' spoof and fishing video where he uses an iPod nano for a lure.

We're not sure how many vests or pairs of 14-pocket cargo pants they'll sell, but more are on their way every week. Check them out here. [Source: Tuaw]

Was the Fake Steve Jobs Health Report a Failure for Citizen Journalism?

Fake Steve Jobs Report, An Embarrassment for the Media? Some jerk sent the interwebs into a tizzy and Apple stock prices into a free fall Friday when he used CNN's iReport citizen journalism site to spread word that Steve Jobs had suffered a massive heart attack. Unfortunately, the multitude of blogs that repeated the rumors of Jobs' heart trouble failed to do any basic fact checking and as it turns out Steve Jobs was not rushed to the hospital.

Some media outlets jumped on false report as evidence of the failure of citizen journalism. Even some new members of the "new media" like ReadWriteWeb, a technology focused blog, claimed that false reports like this not only hurt the reputation of citizen journalism as a concept but also of iReport's parent company CNN.

Of course, all claims of the failure of this reasonably new reporting method are so glaringly out of touch with reality and reasonable expectations. The concept of citizen journalism applies the same principles to news reporting that as the open source movement and community-powered Web sites like Wikipedia apply to software and online encyclopedias, respectively. By relying on input from the public, the hope is to get quicker and more intimate access to breaking news. Of course, some will try to game the system, just as they do on Wikipedia, but these few bad apples do not decrease the overall accuracy beyond that of traditional outlets.

What failed on Friday was not citizen journalism, but plain old traditional journalism. Those media outlets that failed to take a critical eye to initial reports and outlets that sensationalized the story in the aftermath are the ones who failed. Responsible citizens and journalists shouldn't believe everything they see on CNN, much less everything they see on its "unedited, unfiltered" YouTube-like community Web site. [From: paidContent.org]

Fake Steve Jobs Blog May Get Second Life on Newsweek.



We know you miss it. We do too.

We are, of course, talking about Dan Lyons' satirical blog that hilariously attempted to channel Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The fake blog by the real Dan Lyons was terminated by Lyons himself after seeing a frail and sickly Jobs at Apple's developer conference in June. It seems even a satirist has emotional boundaries. Pooooop.

Fret not, though -- a combination of factors may bring the deceased blog back to life. Lyons has recently begun working for Newsweek, and it seems that part of the agreement was for him to resurrect the fake Jobs' blog.

Sweet. That's all we have to say. [From: ValleyWag]

Steve Jobs Is Alive and Parking in Handicap Spots


Have no fear, Apple fans. According to Valleywag tipsters, Steve Jobs remains among the living, albeit still skinny. He's also taken to parking in handicap spaces, although it's unknown if he has a proper sticker or not.

Jobs's health has been a topic of concern this summer since a public appearance where he appeared thin, leading many to speculate that it's another bout of the pancreatic cancer he had in 2003. One Valleywag tipster ran into him on the sidewalk near his Palo Alto home, calling him "healthy" but "very thin." So, be our guest and have at this story with wild speculation and irresponsible rumor mongering. [Source: Valleywag]

Engadget

Steve Jobs Admits He Made a Big Mistake With MobileMe

Not that anyone could really dance around the facts of the matter at this point, but Ars Technica is reporting that in an e-mail to Apple employees sent yesterday, Steve is alleged to have said the following:

"It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store. We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence."

Apple exec Eddie Cue appears to taking the much maligned service under his wing (as well as the App Store, adding to his original gig as VP of iTunes), hopefully making good on the other bit in El Jobso's e-mail, in which he resets Apple's call to action on .Mac's replacement:

"The MobileMe launch clearly demonstrates that we have more to learn about Internet services. And learn we will. The vision of MobileMe is both exciting and ambitious, and we will press on to make it a service we are all proud of by the end of this year."

We'll see about that!

The Ongoing Story of Steve Jobs' Health

The Ongoing Story of Steve Jobs' HealthWhen Steve Jobs appeared in front of Apple software developers from around the world to announce the iPhone 3G, it wasn't the phone that made the headlines, it was Jobs himself. Many raised concerns about his thinness, fearing a reoccurrence of the pancreatic cancer that threatened his life in 2003. Some were assuaged by Apple's official stance that Steve had a "common bug," but others were more persistent, leading to open questions for information at an Apple investor meeting, and to Steve Jobs calling a 'New York Times' journalist and cussing him out.

Joe Nocera has been following the story closely and reporting about it in the 'Times,' calling out the company for statements that may have been less than truthful (it's believed the "common bug" was actually a post-surgery infection). This apparently infuriated Jobs, who called up Nocera and said: "You think I'm an arrogant [expletive] who thinks he's above the law, and I think you're a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong." He then told Nocera the full story of his current health, but would only do-so off the record, which doesn't help us much.

That, quite naturally, has lead to a flurry of discussion on the subject that likely won't quiet down until Jobs himself speaks up to everyone else. For its part, Apple is calling the topic a "private matter," and quite rightly, but when you're the figurehead and more or less sole voice for a publicly traded company, a what point are you obligated to fess up about your state of affairs? [Source: The New York Times, and VentureBeat]

Goodbye Fake Steve Jobs, We Hardly Knew Ye

Goodbye Fake Steve Jobs, We Hardly Knew Ye
Apple's Steve Jobs is a bit of an enigmatic figure -- respected by most folks, but frequently maligned at the same time for his notorious temper; creative-minded, but also conservative, especially in his choice of attire. These are some of the reasons that has made an admittedly fake blog written by a journalist posing as the man so popular. Yesterday, sadly, was the last post for 'The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs', which has finally gone silent after two years of geeky parody.

The last post, 'I'm Sailing Away,' is the finale for the site, but certainly won't be the last we hear from Daniel Lyons, the voice behind the faux Jobs (as well as the fake Steve Ballmer and many other tech-celebs who showed up from time to time). Lyons is trying to shift the focus away from his created persona and back to himself. We can't blame him, but we will miss our regular fictional glimpses into the secret happenings at Apple. [Source: The New York Times]

Some Apple Fans Concerned Over Thinner Steve Jobs

Some Apple Fans Concerned Over Jobs' Recent AppearanceEarlier this week, Apple's Steve Jobs appeared at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to announce, among other things, the new, cheaper, and faster iPhone. But it wasn't the hardware or software announcements that had many people buzzing -- it was Jobs' appearance.

Some fans raised concerns about his rather gaunt face and the way he didn't quite fill out his typical attire (bluejeans and black turtleneck) the way he has at previous years' conferences.

Jobs had a recent battle with pancreatic cancer, causing much of the worries, but according to Apple PR, there's no reason for concern; Steve was just recovering from a "common bug" that left him a few pounds lighter than before. So, fear not, Jobs fans, your predictably-dressed leader is in fine shape -- if desperately in need of a makeover. [Source: The Wall Street Journal]

iPhone 2.0 Software Brings Next-Gen Features to Current iPhone Owners

Start counting down to early July for the release of the new iPhone 2.0 software update, which Steve Jobs and company today announced at the keynote speech for the WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference). This upcoming version of the operating system will enable new features that includes a redesigned calendar application and input capability for Japanese and Chinese characters. This new software will be built-in to the new iPhone 3G that was announced today, but will also be available for free as a downloadable upgrade for all current iPhone owners.

With iPhone 2.0, instant messaging becomes much more "instant," with constant updates coming across the network in a way that promises not to drain the device's battery. This is vital for iPhone users who are (like many) addicted to constant messaging but have complained of the current iPhone's battery life.

The biggest improvement appears to be the ease with which developers can create new applications for the iPhone. Demonstrations included medical teaching applications and games from SEGA, which apparently needed only two weeks to prepare its game sample for previewing at the conference. (That's speedy, and means it's much easier for developers of all stripes to make games and other applications for iPhone 2.0. More applications means users of all kinds will be able to find functionality that works for them. In Apple's effort to compete with other smartphone makers, this is very important.) Some of the applications that will be available were also previewed. These included apps from eBay, Loopt, MLB.com, Associated Press, and Typepad.

While current iPhone users will be able to upgrade to iPhone 2.0 for free, iPod Touch users will have to fork over $9.99 to get the new software.

New applications will be available via the App Store, and will be downloaded wirelessly. Developers will be able to post their creations to the store, so reaching users will not be difficult. Whenever an application is updated or improved by the developer, consumers will be able to download the new software wirelessly as well, for free.

For more information on the new Apple announcements, make sure to go to Engadget Classic's extensive, up-to-the-minute coverage of the WWDC.

Rush Limbaugh Goes Left and Right for Tech Support

Rush LimbaughConservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, we all know the frustration of computer bugs and unanswered pleas for tech support. Case in point: conservative radio talk personality Rush Limbaugh made a public plea to Apple CEO (and Democrat) Steve Jobs on his broadcast last week for help with a problem he's encountered with his collection of networked, high-end Mac Pro computers.

"El Rushbo" (as his Web site calls him) relies almost exclusively on his e-mail application for all communication and even word processing. The problem is that the Mac Leopard operating system, which has an automatic file backup system called Time Machine, doesn't seem to want to back up his e-mail. Limbaugh has had his own Mac rep work on the problem and also called Mac tech support, all to no avail, with even a Mac tech support staffer saying they have the same problem with their machine.

Limbaugh broadcast this plea: "Mr. Jobs, please help me. I know we don't agree on anything. You love Al Gore -- and by the way, I've got no problem with him now, but can you put me to somebody that can get this going, because I know it's gotta work for most people. What am I doing wrong?"

Could his plea to Steve Jobs fall on deaf or maybe just unsympathetic ears? Limbaugh's producer jokingly suggests the Macs don't do what Limbaugh needs because of the political divide.

Still, Limbaugh is looking for help. He notes he's not alone with this dilemma and that "there's a whole thread at the Apple site of people having the same problem."

Limbaugh has been a long-time Mac supporter and has stated his computer preference on his show many times over the years. So, maybe it's not true that Macintosh lovers are all liberal after all?

Limbaugh is still waiting for a solution. He posted an update to the situation on his Web site, noting that some in the Mac community are offering suggestions for work arounds to the problem.

In the meantime, maybe we should all be satisfied the computer bugs and system gremlins don't discriminate based on status or political leanings. In front of a computer, we're all equal -- and equally frustrated.

From Vallywag.


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