Optimist
  • News
  • Pessimist
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Cook takes over Jobs’ Apple

Cook takes over Jobs’ Apple

September 8, 2011 by Blane Singletary

When Steve Jobs turned in his letter of resignation a couple of weeks ago, the tech world went into a frenzy.

Jobs has been at the helm of one of today’s most influential tech companies from the beginning. Together with Steve Wozniak, he ushered in the new age of personal computers, fought as Microsoft rose above them in the 90s and pulled Apple back into the social consciousness with the iPod. Needless to say, Jobs’ successor, Tim Cook, has some massive shoes to fill.

Many people wonder if a new CEO means changes for Apple. What will become the iPhone, iPad or iPod? Will Flash finally be integrated into these devices? Will Apple’s mobile App Store become less regulated? And what will happen to their highly successful iMac and MacBook lines?

It all boils down to a question many ask when a new CEO, president or any new leader takes up the mantle from a long-standing incumbent: Will things change, or will they stay the same?

Steve Jobs’ successor Tim Cook is no newcomer to Apple, or the personal computing world, or even the post of Apple’s CEO. He was Vice President of Corporate Materials for Compaq (now merged with Hewlett-Packard) before Jobs picked him up. During the three sick leaves Jobs took in the past decade, Cook was the man he picked to temporarily fill his seat. Jobs was still responsible for major decisions, but Cook oversaw the day-to-day operations and, for the most part, ran Apple while he was gone.

That isn’t to say Cook hasn’t made some big decisions himself. Shortly after he joined Apple in the late 90s, he sweepingly changed Apple’s manufacturing structure. Until that point, Apple had handled manufacturing themselves in factories and warehouses around the world. Cook closed them all down and instead contracted outside parties to handle it. This was a pretty bold and risky move, but it worked. It got Apple a foothold in China where the iDevice you’ve got in your pocket, or are perhaps reading this column on, was built.

Many people, including Tim Cook, say Steve Jobs is irreplaceable. Even a false rumor of Jobs having a heart attack was enough to cost the company over $10 billion from their market value. But the way many tech savvy people like myself see it, if Jobs was the knight in shining armor for the tech world, Cook was his sword - quite possibly the shining armor. Considering the facts behind Cook’s track record before and with Apple, Apple investors and consumers shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Cook will make well-informed decisions for this company in the years to come. Steve Jobs may have been the face of Apple for the past 30 years, but Tim Cook, along with many other talented computer scientists and engineers, were working in his shadow, making the company what it is today.

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Apple Computer

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

About Blane Singletary

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Cook takes over Jobs’ Apple

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
16 Feb

Black Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have joined together to plan events that educate others and provide celebrations during Black History Month. Read more:
https://acuoptimist.com/2023/02/black-history-month-events-educate-celebrate-acu-community/

Reply on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Retweet on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Like on Twitter 1626340622872285184 2 Twitter 1626340622872285184
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
11 Feb

BREAKING: Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, vice president emeritus, passed away Saturday. Hunter served as a representative of the 71st district of Texas and worked part time with ACU until 2013.

Reply on Twitter 1624540404690436097 Retweet on Twitter 1624540404690436097 4 Like on Twitter 1624540404690436097 23 Twitter 1624540404690436097

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Charles Wadlington, associate professor of psychology, was arrested Wednesday on allegations of sexual abuse of a child. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Professor arrested on allegations of sexual abuse of a child - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Dr. Charles Wadlington, associate professor of psychology, was arrested Wednesday on allegations of sexual abuse of a child. Wadlington has been charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, appare...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
FilmFest, a student short film festival designed to give students who are interested in film production access to a creative outlet, will host its 19th annual FilmFest Gala April 14 at the Paramount Theatre. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

FilmFest prepares to take the big screen - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

FilmFest, a student short film festival designed to give students who are interested in film production access to a creative outlet, will host it’s 19th annual FilmFest Gala April 14 at the Paramoun...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved