An Empty Spotlight

Apple will still be apple without Steve Jobs; but will it taste as sweet?

Apple and its stockholders will miss Steve Jobs. Gadget gurus around the world will miss Steve Jobs. But no one will miss the face of Apple more than me and my colleagues in the media.

Despite being a one-sided love affair the media rarely has a bad word to say against the man who was never quick to grant an interview. When he did they were short and not always sweet. I’ve frequently covered Apple and Steve Jobs during my three plus decades as a business reporter based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

After bugging the company for months I was finally granted the coveted one-on-one interview. Unfortunately, it was brief. After asking a sensitive question about the use of bodyguards for Silicon Valley CEO’s Steve simply pulled off his microphone and abruptly terminated the interview, once again employing the famous stare and silent treatment.

I had enough to do the story though, because as with most reporters who deal with tough subjects, I saved the most sensitive question for last. Steve, we will miss you, but I sure hope the new head Apple does fall far from the tree.