Adios amigo

06.10.2011
At Macworld 2002 in New York City, I watched Steve Jobs stride onto stage without introduction and immediately launch into one of his trademark keynotes. His black sweater and jeans look--a deliberate nose-thumbing at the suit/jacket/tie corporate uniform--suited his seemingly off-the-cuff presentation. Apple Computer, as they were then known, was making its popular new consumer device, the iPod, compatible with Windows, something the Mac maniacs in the audience applauded. They applauded everything, even announced price-hikes.

The Cult of Jobs was in full swing, and gadgets like the iPhone and iPad weren't on the radar. Yet even this year, snarky comments often accuse those praising Apple devices of being "Jobsian fanbois." The man and his company, it seemed, were inseparable.

But as Steve's illness began to take him over, his appearances became fewer and medical leaves of absence more frequent, and new CEO Tim Cook took the stage to announce Apple's latest products. Yesterday, Jobs passed away at the age of 56.