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Jobs biographer Isaacson back-pedals on innovation comments, says ‘execution is what really matters’, Apple is best

A couple of weeks after describing Google as more innovative than Apple, and suggesting that Tim Cook was vulnerable to a shareholder revolt if he didn’t quickly release disruptive new products, Steve Jobs’ biographer Walter Isaacson has downplayed his remarks in a round-table discussion on Bloomberg TV.

I think [Google is] very innovative. I was not trying to contrast it to Apple or something. I know, all the Apple fans got mad […]

The one thing I will say is innovation is great, but it ain’t everything. It’s not the holy grail. Execution is what really matters, and Apple is the best at execution … 

Isaacson also dismissed as irrelevant suggestions that poor sales of the iPhone 5c suggested Apple didn’t know how to make low-end products.

I don’t think Apple will ever be great at doing low-end. It really makes insanely great products, to use a phrase Steve used 30 years ago when he launched the Mac. What I think is going to have to happen is they’re going to have to figure out a whole new set of disruptive products. You’ve heard Tim Cook hint about that, whether it’s television or a wearable watch. I don’t think Apple’s going to do well trying to be on the commodity low-end race with Samsung and others.

Quite a change in tone from “[Shareholders] probably have to start thinking about who should be on the board next, this board is all Steve Jobs’ people, they aren’t exactly the Tim Cook fan club” …

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Comments

  1. Antonym - 10 years ago

    Well, how about just shut up if you have no clue what you are talking about. Writing about Jobs doesn’t make you an expert in technology the same way as writing about Einstein wouldn’t make you an expert in the theory of relativity

  2. rlowhit - 10 years ago

    Isaacson simply realized he bit the hand that feeds him and corrected.

  3. Drew (@gettysburg11s) - 10 years ago

    Yep, I agree with Walter. Innovation isn’t everything, and doesn’t mean much if you can’t execute properly. Apple does do that, and so does Google. As for the 5c, I hope Apple wasn’t trying to create a low cost solution there, because if they were, they failed miserably.

    • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

      >>As for the 5c, I hope Apple wasn’t trying to create a low cost solution there, because if they were, they failed miserably.

      Stop this worthless false concern.

  4. What else is new. He pissed off the Apple fans and backpedaled because they are his meal ticket. Once you get your 15 minutes, you never want to let it go.

  5. Innovate? what mean? is to add, change or develop only by doing items. Or that truly improve a product and be taken to a higher level. Apple has always innovated, other companies generally only materialize to copy and follow the path.

    Innovar? que significa eso? es agregar, cambiar solo por hacerlo o desarrollar elementos que realmente mejoren un producto y que lo lleven a un nivel superior. Apple siempre ha innovado las demás compañías solo se concretan a copiar y a seguir la senda.

  6. Steve Nagel (@snitstwits) - 10 years ago

    Isaacson you big nut.

  7. James Katt - 10 years ago

    At least Isaacson is acknowledging he is an idiot. It still doesn’t change how much of an arse he is.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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