I just got this off of AP. I'd have posted a link, but it came as email.
Scott
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Troubled Apple Computer Inc., reaching back
to its past in hopes of ensuring its future, plans to name its
charismatic co-founder Steve Jobs chairman, the San Francisco
Chronicle reported Tuesday.
Apple intends to make the announcement next week as Jobs gives
the keynote talk at the Macworld Expo trade show in Boston, the
newspaper said.
The Chronicle cited several unnamed sources in its story, which
appeared on its Web site and was to appear in Wednesday's editions.
Macworld magazine also reported in its online edition that Jobs
would become Apple's chairman.
Sources, however, also said that Jobs' appointment is not
assured, pointing to the company's history of changing plans at the
last minute.
Jobs, reached at his Palo Alto home, had no comment when asked
about the report. Apple spokeswoman Katie Cotton said the company
``absolutely cannot comment on rumors.''
If Jobs is named chairman, it would end some of the speculation
about who will lead Apple after the ouster earlier this month of
Gil Amelio as chairman and chief executive. Amelio, hired 18 months
earlier, reorganized Apple but the company's fortunes continued to
erode.
The Chronicle report did not say whom Apple had chosen as chief
executive or if it had made a decision about that position.
It was not clear if Jobs would continue to run Pixar, the
animation studio that made the film ``Toy Story.''
Jobs, who had left Apple in 1985, recently returned as an
adviser after the company's bought his Next Software Inc. to use
its technology in the new Mac operating system.
While Jobs has kept a low public profile, Apple watchers have
said he's become increasingly influential at the Cupertino, Calif.,
company.
Jobs, who founded Apple with pal Steve Wozniak in 1976, is known
largely for his vision and ability to both drive and inspire
employees and customers. That could help Apple, which is trying to
rekindle excitement about its Macintosh computer.
``Apple needs someone who can articulate a grand plan and knows
the business,'' a Silicon Valley insider who asked not to be named
told the Chronicle. ``They need to give the Macintosh market a
reason to believe.''
But Jobs also is known for being abrasive and a perfectionist
who doesn't take advice well. That could discourage someone from
becoming CEO.
``If Jobs is named chairman, it reduces Apple's chances of
getting a world-class CEO,'' a source told the Chronicle.
Apple's new leaders will have their work cut out for them.
The company has lost nearly $1.7 billion over the past two years
and seen its market share and stock price plummet. Apple's woes
have led to perennial discussion of whether it can survive on its
own.
Jobs helped make Apple a business and cultural legend and
oversaw the development of the easy-to-use Macintosh personal
computer, which has won the loyalty of millions of users.
He left after losing a power struggle with then-CEO John
Sculley. But he quickly founded Next, which originally made
workstation computers but later concentrated on software. |
