A few weeks ago I wrote an article for the Next Web about Steve Jobs. In it I tell about my front-row seat on Steve Jobs career.
Tonight I apologized to Tim Cook, Apple’s new CEO, for being harsh on him and his performance on Tuesday where he introduced the iPhone 4s. If you’ve been following my Google+ account, you’ve been seeing all that. That’s where I’ve been “blogging” lately.
Tonight I was driving near the Cupertino/Sunnyvale border when I heard the news on KGO Radio. Steve Jobs had died. I shot a rainbow over Silicon Valley shortly after I heard the news, then drove onto Apple’s campus in Cupertino, where I discovered the flags were half staff. I was one of the first tech blogger/journalist types there.
It was quiet. A few people were taking pictures of the flags, hanging. What I noticed was how quiet everyone was. Most were staring into their iPhones, at least partially in shock at the news. Soon the press started showing up. One of the first was Dean Takahashi, of Venture Beat, who shot this video of me. That was discussed here on Google+.
Some other photos and discussion:
First flower appears in memorial to Steve Jobs. Many more would follow. The discussion about that on Google+ is here.
Video of a bagpiper who played in front of the Apple campus:
Apple employees reading their iPhones, waiting for a bus. All were quiet.
Apple’s headquarters when I came on campus. Now there’s a crowd there and a memorial. When I arrived employees were sadly walking around, being very quiet, occasionally shooting a photo of the flags.
Apple’s headquarters with dark storm clouds overhead.
A rainbow over Silicon Valley shortly after I learned of the news.
Thanks, Steve, for all the change you brought to my life. You made it immeasurably better. You’ll be remembered for many years to come and there won’t be another one of your kind to come soon. I’m so honored to have met you.
Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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Perfect and well said. Steve is smiling up from iCloud
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a great visionary ! miss you ! 😦
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a great visionary ! miss you ! 😦
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Vale Steve Jobs – you left behind a Cornucopia of possibility!
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Thanks for your sharing your thoughts Robert and I agree.. Apple II was where the magic began for me too with Apple…to think as a creative and a designer, where would I be without the profound contributions of Steve Jobs & Apple.
+1 for the rainbow too!
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Thanks for your sharing your thoughts Robert and I agree.. Apple II was where the magic began for me too with Apple…to think as a creative and a designer, where would I be without the profound contributions of Steve Jobs & Apple.
+1 for the rainbow too!
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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Not many would be as quick to apologise. Respect for your humility Robert.
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iSad
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nice post Robert
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respect
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Thanks very much for this thoughtful, sensitive post.
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He was an amazingly influential person. He’s an example of how a *single* person, with the right amount of motivation and determination, can bring huge changes in the world, that a common man can’t even imagine. Thanks, Steve, for being the person you were. You’ve taught all of us extremely important lessons that we shall never forget.
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this rainbow is very symbolic :~(
http://www.thecommcouch.com/?p=470
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“I was one of the first tech blogger/journalist types there.”Sorry but… Who cares?
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He wasn’t boasting, dude. I think Robert’s point was that he arrived early enough to capture these photos before the crowds and press started to gather at Infinite Loop
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Fine, I didn’t think he was boasting, please not to misunderstand my comment.
I don’t understand people got there for curiosity (many people on social networks are saying “I was there”, not sad and just not honouring Steve Jobs) while Apple people gathering (respect for them).
I see it as a private moment, no need of journalism. That’s all.
Of course, it’s my own opinion.
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That’s right.
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Robert,
I’ve got to say, I had an opposite reaction. The fact that your instant response was “I’ve got to get to Apple HQ” does show the core of a journalist (whether you call yourself one or not). People can argue all they want about whether that grieving was news, but I think it says more about your heat-seeking reactions…and that’s a good thing.
Cheers, Ken
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We grew up on these products, but Robert grew up in that very neighborhood for chrissakes.
I look forward to seeing Robert on the day the new building opens. That will be pretty special and bittersweet.
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Robert, yes, we were both touched by the Apple II and our lives changed forever. I could be saying most of the same things as you (other than I did not live here) but sadly few can truly understand how Steve changed our lives with his vision, products, and work. I had the please of meeting and working for Steve even not directly and I am just very proud of being part of it.
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+
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Thanks for sharing, Robert. There’s a silence I will carry inside me for awhile ….
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Thank you, Robert, for your words. I couldn’t wrap my head around this roller-coaster week and you did it for me.
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It’s funny how so many of us (and I include myself in this) are so moved by the passing of a man we never met. How many of us will be lucky enough go to our graves in the knowledge that we changed the world?
RIP Steve. Thanks for iEverything.
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He wasn’t boasting, dude. I think Robert’s point was that he arrived early enough to capture these photos before the crowds and press started to gather at Infinite Loop
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I have great respect for you, Robert, and what you do, shedding light into dark corners of the start up world. I do hope I get the chance to meet you some day and talk about my own business ideas. But you have received what amounts to 200 pats on the back for your apology and all I can think of is why did you need to write it to begin with?
To me, there are two fascites to an apology. The first is recognizing that I did something wrong and the second is recognizing the situation so I don’t do it again. This time we learned what was going through Tim Cook’s mind on stage and learned why Apple may have reigned in their announcements, but that isn’t always the case. We don’t always know. But just because we don’t know doesn’t mean there isn’t a very good reason.
You pass the first part of the apology with flying colors, but did you learn anything from it? Your mistake has helped me, though, as it reminds me not to make the second mistake.
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RIP Steve…. you made my life better…..
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Thanks, Robert.
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iThank You
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I don’t think I will ever shed a tear for a CEO I miss you steve
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my best friend’s mom makes $77 an hour on the computer. She has been out of job for 9 months but last month her check was $7487 just working on the computer for a few hours. Read about it here CashSharp.com
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Spam a la mode? Nice way to cash in on people mourning, jerk.
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How many times do the pronouns “I” and “me” appear in this post? I lost count. Way to make Steve’s passing all about you.
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These the use of personal pronouns in these testimonial do not make them self-centered and invalid. They are heartfelt statements about how Steve affected their lives and therefore valid testimonials to Steve.
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Steve Jobs is always looking and Smiling from the Sky that how well his Company is doing … We miss you Steve R.I.P
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Thanks, Robert
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great! thanks!
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We really very sad for death of great itechnology man Steve Jobs. we will miss him for lifetime.
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Sir Steve jobs, I am really very sad because we have lost one great man from this world.
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Jobs, we miss you forever~
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very nice post! thansk a lot for sharing!
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If it wasn’t for Steve Jobs, we wouldn’t have one TBH
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Steve will always remain in our hearts…he will always be inspiring us to do something extra ordinary…RIP Steve
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Steve Jobs has always inspired me to do, to be better: Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!
R.I.P. Steve
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المزيني
المسيهيج
الهليل
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حمدي
ربيع
رشيد سليم
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صايل
عام
عبدالله جابر
عبدالله صايل
علي الغامدي
منال
هاجد
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Its a very good post. I was very pleased to find this site.
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