pavyedav | boredom and inherent curiosity, in one

I know everyone has probably read dozens of posts regarding Steve Jobs’ resignation, but frankly, I can’t not talk about it. 

As both an Apple fan and a tech geek, I believe Jobs’ departure from the CEO position is a very momentous event in consumer technology. But first, it must be made clear that he is still the chairman of the company’s board, so his input will continue to be invaluable to Apple’s future.

Now, let’s get into the details. How exactly does this affect Apple in the near future? In a nutshell, it doesn’t. In fact, this couldn’t have been a better time for Jobs to leave his position. A few reasons: (1) iPhone 5 is coming out in the next few months on multiple carriers, (2) a cheaper iPhone is supposedly coming out as well, and (3) there is an entire line of products, ranging from Macbook Pros to iPads, that will be launching in the near future. Apple is at the top of its game right now, and now is the best time for an inevitable change (we all knew Jobs had health issues for years) to occur. Even if there were a drop off (which I don’t believe will happen), Apple would still have extreme influence and profitability. The new CEO Tim Cook probably will not have the persuasiveness or charisma of Jobs, but he most definitely has the pedigree for the position, as he was temporarily at the helm for six months this year while Apple was skyrocketing to the top. As Cook’s e-mail to his employees said, “Apple is not going to change.”

Having said that, it is very possible that Apple will have some sort of change in business direction in later years. Jobs was known to be a disciplinarian with a vision for product design and function. He has unique qualities that Cook probably will be unable to imitate. In the next few years, there may be a difference in how Apple portrays itself. What is currently a focus on immediate innovation and trendsetting could perhaps become an emphasis on high quality products with the best design. Apple could very well become some variant of BASF in the tech world: “We don’t make a lot of the products you buy; we make a lot of the products you buy…better.” It seems like they already do that to an extent. From what I’ve read, Cook will try to sharpen Apple’s process innovation to eliminate waste and guarantee manufacturing efficiency rather than try to emphasize the end product marketing the way Jobs did.

Changes definitely could be in store down the road, but Apple isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.