Steve Jobs Taking Medical Leave

Steve Jobs communicated with Apple employees today he was taking a medical leave of absence until June. He will remain involved in major decisions. This comes a week after Jobs told investors he was being treated for a simple to treat hormone imbalance. This health pattern doesn't sound good. Apple stock is down 6% after hours from the news. As important as Jobs is to Apple I still believe the company has become greater than Jobs himself. "The Street" won't understand or respond that way however. Speedy recovery, Steve!

Download Disaster for Microsoft

While not Apple related...I couldn't help myself from commenting on Microsoft's disastrous release of the Windows 7 Beta today.  This past Wednesday night, Microsoft's CEO, Steve Ballmer announced the Windows 7 Beta would be open to the public on a limited basis.  Upon the release of the software on Friday, Microsoft's servers were flooded with traffic.  Downloads started failing, users couldn't obtain software keys and the Microsoft web site reported "server busy".  How does a company like Microsoft allow this to happen?  Either the Microsoft infrastructure is weaker than anyone ever thought or they completely underestimated the level of interest.  At the end of the day, this story is probably only important to Windows power users and Windows evangelist.  It does speak to Microsoft's inability to properly plan and support the single largest marketing effort to date of the next version of Windows. We can't let Apple off the hook either.  They were guilty of poor infrastructure planning from a past iPhone and Touch release.  Windows users anxious to get their hands on Windows 7 can keep an eye on Microsoft's Windows 7 Blog for the latest news.

MacWorld 2009 Thoughts and Observations

Apple product announcements were in ample supply during this year's MacWorld despite an ill Steve Jobs.  A recent public announcement from Jobs clarified that despite his heath he is still control of Apple.  That’s good news after watching Phil Schiller provide the MacWorld keynote.  Phil is Apple's senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing and has moved up from Steve's perennial sidekick to take the lead presenter position.  Here are a few of my thoughts related to today’s keynote.

Phil Schiller’s Keynote:  Phil is not ready for the primetime keynote spot.  His performance was rookie like.  He was lucky he could finish sentences with the proper words.  He was awkwardly nervous for a senior executive.  During his hour plus presentation he never really connected with the audience.  His timing was off and his performance was disjointed.  Phil’s excitement level about his own products seemed rehearsed and ingenuous.  In contrast, when Jobs said some technology was “really cool” you believed him.  I don’t know Phil well and he may be a great marketer, but he clearly isn’t in to the products at the same level as Jobs.  Phil should consider himself lucky for making it through the entire presentation without any major missteps. 

Apple Innovation:  Apple’s level of innovation is astounding.  The software and hardware products they develop are second to none.  Can you imagine what types of products sit behind Apple’s Research and Development walls?  It must be a treasure trove. While today’s announcements were not earth shattering they demonstrate Apple’s proficiency in innovation.

iLife 09:  The already excellent iLife product line continues to improve with the newly announced iLife 09.  iPhoto’s new face recognition software will consolidate all pictures of the same person in one collection.  We’ll need to see how effective this is, but it is certainly ground breaking.  Listening carefully to Phil it sounds like Apple purchased the technology.  This isn’t something you hear often from Apple and I wonder if this was a slip.  iMovie looks fantastic and a significant upgrade from previous versions.  Garageband now has innovative music lesson capability allowing the user to learn how to play guitar or piano from onscreen instructors.  Seems like a bit of a novelty.  What became obviously clear during the presentation was that iLife announcements require their own day in the spotlight.  There are too many features and applications to properly squeeze in to a twenty minute time slot.

Randy Ubillos - Chief Architect for Video:  The real stand out from this year’s keynote was the iMovie demo by Randy Ubillos.  He delivered a spot on and passionate demo.  He should have delivered the entire keynote.  He embodies the Jobs spirit.  Get those marketing guys out of the way!

iWork 09:  Who uses this?  I don’t know any Mac user with iWork, but I suspect they’re out there.  iWork continues to mature in all areas.  The future of Microsoft’s Office on Mac is limited and it’s important iWork is available to take its place.  These enhancements are welcomed and necessary  Highlights of new features include Keynote’s iPhone remote feature and Number’s table categories and the ability to take complex Excel features such as functions and simply them.

Iwork.com Beta:  iWork 09 has a document sharing feature that allows documents to be published to Apple’s web site.  Those allowed to view the document have access to content reviewer features and download capabilities.  It’s interesting to see Apple move in this direction, but even more interesting to see it done in the form of a public beta.  It would be nice to have version history.  The service will eventually be fee based, but is free during the beta.  Another thing I thought was interesting was Phil’s direct request to Apple users for their feedback.  I’ve never heard Microsoft ask users for their feedback from a “world stage”.

Mac Book Pro 17”:  Eight hour battery life.  Enough said!

No news on upgraded Mac Minis.