I make a special point to keep my banter on my blog as positive as possible, but sometimes something comes along that requires me to bend the rules a bit.
Today, October 5th, 2011, Steve Jobs passed away.
Death is not necessarily a time for mourning, although it is hard to not tear up at Apple.com's bleak memorial to the company's visionary leader. Rather than mourn the loss of a great individual, I instead briefly reflect on the incredible influence Steve held over the entire technology industry and the world beyond.
I have never been a huge buyer of Apple products, but I have always been a relentless fan of Apple products. Apple's pricing and walled-garden ecosystems have been my primary turnoffs, but these very elements have helped to cast a certain sheen on Apple products. iPods, iPhones, and iPads are premium products of tremendous attractiveness, quality, and most importantly, an ease of use that makes these high-tech toys accessible to everyone.
The iPod changed how we listen to music. iTunes changed how we buy music. The iPhone, Apple's riskiest product launch ever, forever changed how we use mobile technology to interact with one another. The iPhone was not the first smartphone, but it was the one to get it right for the everyman. Go back to 2006 and try using a "smartphone" - the experience is night and day from what we take for granted now. The iPad has yet to prove its staying power and influence, but it sure has had the right start.
Steve made entire industries bend to his will, sent competitors scrambling to create countless copycat products, and ultimately proved that second chances do exist. Steve was the best of the best of the best. He was a leader for our generation. He was the first celebrity death to bring me to tears.
Steve, you will be missed. Rest in peace.
B3 out.
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