The world’s lost a titan. I’ve lost one of my two heroes. (the other being my father)
Steve rehearses for a keynote, while I stand by.
Archive for the ‘The Book - Jobs Ive Known’ Category
Farewell Steve
Thursday, October 6th, 2011Thinking of Trumpet, aka iTunes
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011Sitting here with my headphones on, reflecting on something amazing (at least to me) that happened several years ago.
Back in the fall of 2000, my boss at Apple (David Moody) asked me to step in as temporary product marketing manager for a forthcoming product code-named ‘Trumpet’. We were already interviewing candidates to take on the role full-time, but there was stuff that needed doing, which couldn’t wait. First up, draft the product briefing document which would form the basis for much of the internal and external communications about the product.
Looking back at that first document recently I was reminded that Trumpet had rather modest aspirations at the time, basically to fill in an obvious competitive gap. Windows had a head start in this niche, and we needed to do something. What the future held for this minor product was not imagined in -anyone’s- wildest dreams.
It’s a product you all know – it’s now called iTunes,
And as I sit here tonight, using this tiny brushed aluminum remote control to instantly access over 25,000 songs in my home iTunes library, I’m astonished what it has become. Indistinguishable from magic, to borrow a phrase.
I had very little to do with what happened, but it sure has been exhilarating to watch it from a good seat.
The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected
Sunday, November 8th, 2009Where have I been and what have I been doing? Damn good question.
The past few years have been among the most tumultuous of my life. Personal and business challenges have stressed me nearly to the breaking point, and amazing events have rocked my world and the world at large.
I’ve questioned (literally) the mental health of my fellow Americans who re-elected the most corrupt government we’ve ever had. My disgust with the whole thing crushed my spirit and clouded my view of the future. Closer to home, I faced a tremendous crisis of confidence regarding my worth as a person, my ability to provide for myself and my family, and my ability (and desire) to continue writing my book.
The world around me seemed to have gone mad; or maybe it was me? (more…)
Time Waits for No Mac – or CEO
Sunday, January 18th, 2009
I snapped this photo of Steve Jobs while he was working on the flow of his keynote demo in 2001. It’s striking to see this and realize how much his appearance has changed. (more…)
