Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple

Thanks to Steve Jobs for everything he's done at Apple and for the Tech community. Good luck to Tim Cook in his new role as CEO.

via everywhere

Part of the letter from Jobs:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

Tech Company Org Charts

This org chart made me LOL. It’s so true. Too bad they didn’t do one for RIM.

12 Years Ago Star Wars was Revived

Totally Rad Show noted that on this day in 1999 Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace released to theaters which makes me feel old.

Here are some interesting facts.

12 years ago on this day…

• … most people didn’t yet realize how much the story sucked - still in zOMG-THAT-WAS-AWESOME mode
• … I had no idea who played the decoy Queen Amidala (a girl named Keira Knightley or something)
• … I had an AMAZING Diamond Rio 600 32MB MP3 player (it could JUST hold an album at crappy bit-rates)
• … The very first iPod was still two years in the future
• … I had a Hotmail account (actually still do)
• … The CLOSEST thing I used to a “Social Network” was AIM
• … AsianAvenue was 2 years old by this time, but I didn’t use it
• … LiveJournal was one month old
• … I knew how to make a website, but it was fugly. WTF is CSS?
• … Apple was still in trouble and the iBook did not yet exist (although the colorful iMac was gaining popularity)
• … Mac OS 9 was still in development and Mac OS X was two years in the future
• … Tablets were a miseriable, horrible failure (as I type this in the SquareSpace iPad app)
• … Bluetooth 1.0 spec was defined, but almost no one knew what Bluetooth was
• … I had a computer with a brand new Pentium III processor (500 MHz) and an incredible 14GB hard drive
• … Zip Disks were the way people moved data
• … I searched the internet with DogPile
• … I used IE5 because, well, it was the best and Netscape 4.x was getting super-old
• … I was still two years away from having a cell phone (the obligatory Nokia 33xx)

Actually, this post makes me realize how MUCH happened in the year 2001.

A Meaningful Partnership With Microsoft [History]

“If we want to move forward and see Apple healthy and prospering again, we have to let go of a few things here. We have to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose. Kay? We have to embrace a notion that for Apple to win, Apple has to do a really good job, and if others are going to help us, that’s great ‘cuz we need all the help we can get.”

—

Steve Jobs, MacWorld Expo Keynote 1997 after announcing: Meaningful Partnership with Microsoft Perpetual patent cross license for all past patents and all patents in the next 5 years Microsoft Office same number of major releases as Windows for the next 5 years Internet Explorer as Mac default browser, but will ship with other browsers Java collaboration on virtual machine compatibility Microsoft will purchase $150 worth of non-controlling stock at market value

IntoNow: The Shazam of TV Shows

IntoNow launched its iOS application today which is able to identify 2.6 million broadcast TV airings. IntoNow will listen to what you’re watching and in four to twelve seconds the app returns the exact episode and whether or not the content is live or a re-broadcast.

Additionally, IntoNow allows one-touch access to show info, IMDb, iTunes and Netflix, and app notifications alert you to activities and comments from friends. IntoNow can optinally share what you are watching with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.

Learn more at IntoNow’s website or grab the app from the iTunes iOS App Store.

via Star Padilla and Mashable

#antennagate Funny

If you hold the media’s attention “like this”, the number of articles about antennas go way down.

Posted via email from jasonishibashi’s posterous

Upcoming Luxury Hyundai Equus Includes Apple iPad User Manual

During the New York Auto Show, Hyundai announced the 2010 Equus luxury sedan would come with a multimedia tablet PC rather than the standard owner’s manual noting that in addition to being a traditional manual, the tablet would serve as a digital liaison between an owner and his/her Hyundai dealership.

Today, Hyundai sources announced Equus owners will be provided with a 16 GB WiFi Apple iPad with a custom landscape style leather case with embossed logo, kickstand, and suede-like interior.

The interactive manual will show off all the usual text and images, and will also show videos to explain vehicle functions.

All the Equus specific programs will come pre-installed on the iPad, and it will function like a stock iPad via iTunes.  Hyundai will update the Equus app(s) through the App Store.

What is the Equus?

Hyundai will launch the 2011 Equus to compete against the Lexus LS 460, Jaguar XJ, and Mercedes-Benz S550, but at a price point $12,000 to $35,000 less than the competition.  While reminiscent of the doomed Volkswagen Phaeton, Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik believes Hyundai has one the proper groundwork to launch a premium sedan, unlike Volkswagen.  VW left a large gap between the Passat an the Phaeton, while Hyundai slowly moved upwards with the Azera and Genesis sitting between the Sonata and upcoming Equus.  The Genesis sedan verifies that consumers are willing to pay $40,000 plus for a Hyundai.

Still, there is no guarantee consumers will pay $55,000 to $60,000 for a Hyundai, but it seems more plausible than the $80,000 Phaeton.  The serious question is whether anyone who could afford a $55,000 Hyundai would opt for one over, say a Lexus GS or Mercedes-Benz C class.

Luxury Dealerships

Krafcik also believes other luxury automakers have gone in the wrong direction glossing up their dealerships.  The coffee bars and fancy seating areas look nice, but it would be better if nobody ha to visit their dealer.  Rather than upgrade the look and feel of their dealers, Hyundai plans to remove the dealership from the Equus experience.  Owners will schedule service appointments on their iPad, and Hyundai will send a driver to the Equus owner’s home or office with a loaner then return the Equus when the work is done.  Krafcik believes the ultimate luxury is never having to visit the dealer at all.  Sounds good to me.

Pick up your 2011 Hyundai Equus this fall.ll.

Posted via web from jasonishibashi’s posterous

Mac mini Sneaks Into Apple Store with iPhone Pre-Orders

Check out the new Mac mini

As you can see, not only is it smaller but it’s packed with goodies!  HDMI and a SD Card Slot are finally included.

Also notice that power port.  The power supply is built into the tiny case as well, so no more power brick!

On the bottom, a circular rubber foot to hold the Mac mini firmly to your table, but it’s also removable to reveal your memory slots.  No more putty knife for RAM upgrades.

Faster Core 2 processor with nVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor is supposed to double the performance (Apple’s claim).

Solid unibody aluminum so it looks at home along side all your other Apple gear.

The only downside?  The price increased to $699 and $999.

Posted via web from jasonishibashi’s posterous

Apple Store Online, Let The iPhone 4 Pre-Orders Begin (1 AM PDT)

Apple Store Online, Let The iPhone 4 Pre-Orders Begin (1 AM PDT)

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTgxNTgyMDQ

Posted via web from jasonishibashi’s posterous

iPad: Flash does NOT belong

I remember Macromedia Flash 5 with ActionScripting 1.0. WOW! This is the future of the Internet. This will really open up the possibilities to developers. Or so I thought… Give me HTML5, and Apple will give you rich content in Safari.

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