Steve Jobs
iPhone update for 3G issues; more coming in September?
Jim Dalrymple at Macworld notes that the iPhone software update from Monday was mostly to handle issues with dropped calls on new iPhone 3G handsets. According to an Associated Press article, the update “improved communication with 3G networks,” said Apple spokesperson Jennifer Bowcock.
However, some Macworld commenters are saying the update hasn’t helped with dropped calls, even in areas with a strong signal.
What’s more, according to an AppleInsider rumor, another update is scheduled for September that addresses an issue where non-default applications will repeatedly crash. A tipster claims to have received a Steveogram saying the issue “is a known iPhone bug that is being fixed in the next software update in September.” (Chairman Jobs is known to occasionally respond to complaint emails with terse but sympathetic notes.)
The crashing problem has remained unresolved so far, and it has resulted in large and angry Apple support discussions about the topic. Steve’s one-line explanation may at least provide a target for users for when they can start using their iPhones as intended. [Read]
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How to present like Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs has been called a “master showman” whose “reality distortion field” lulls observers into believing they desperately need whatever he’s pitching. However, it isn’t magic that makes him so engaging, but a talent for public speaking combined with ruthless rehearsals.
Still, one need not be a visionary billionaire vegan to deliver a killer presentation. yoZi has written a great article about steps you can take to bring your own talks up to that level. Tips include, “Try for an unforgettable moment,” “Demonstrate enthusiasm” and my favorite, “Create visual slides.” From the article:
“There is a trend in public speaking to paint a picture for audiences by creating more visual graphics. Inspiring presenters are short on bullet points and big on graphics.”
Amen. We all know that slide presentations are an exquisite form of torture, made worse when the presenter is simply reading slide after slide of text. Unless we’re in a foreign language class, please abandon the read-a-long.
There is one more thing yoZi failed to mention: Have a few catch phrases ready to go. See above.
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Finding Jobs 2.0
Is it even possible? Forbes does a little bit of speculating on just who might take over when Jobs takes his leave from Apple, and candidates aren’t exactly jumping out of the woodwork. Jobs is about as visionary as they come — only a guy like Steve could lead Apple from the iMac to the iPod to the iPhone, breaking records and status quo the whole time. Phil Schiller and Scott Forstall are tossed out as two names currently within Apple’s ranks, but Jobs is almost as much of a company mascot as he is a CEO. As consultant Patrick Sweeney says in the article, anyone who steps into the turtleneck has to fit completely into the culture of the company, or it won’t work.
And forget the day-to-day and design decisions — who’s going to stand on stage and say “boom” at WWDC and Macworld? Here at TUAW, we’re pretty sure the rumors of Jobs’ ill health are exaggerated; he’s probably not going anywhere anytime fast. But at the same time, it’s hard to imagine an Apple without him at all.
[forbes]
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Fake Steve leaving Forbes for Newsweek
Dan Lyons, the real Fake Steve Jobs, is leaving his editor’s job at Forbes to join the staff of Newsweek, where he’ll take over for outgoing columnist Steven Levy. (Levy left Newsweek for Wired in April.)
Lyons is leaving Forbes on good terms, with associate managing editor Bruce Upbin writing, “Saying we wish him well is an understatement.” No details surrounding the financial aspects of the transition were immediately available.
Since Lyons owns the FSJ property himself, Silicon Alley Insider says he’ll be bringing El Stevo with him, but it remains unclear what will change about the vast FSJ media empire.
Fake Steve, I honor the place where your funny and my bone become one. Namaste.
[Via Daring Fireball.]
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Steve Jobs has a ‘common bug’
Normally I wouldn’t even post about this, but several people have commented on the way Steve Jobs looked during his keynote yesterday. Most folks seemed to think that he looked a little thinner than usual, which of course makes one think back to his battle with cancer. An Apple PR person assured the Wall Street Journal that Steve has been fighting a ‘common bug’ for the last few weeks, and he is on the mend.
Everyone here at apple hopes Steve feels better soon! We should probably send him an iCard before they go away. Read
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