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Walter Isaacson’s new biography of Steve Jobs (titled simply Steve Jobs) comes out next week, but the Associated Press was able to buy a copy early and proceeds to drop some bombs, just like Jobs himself.
According to AP descriptions of the book, Jobs was apparently so angry with Google over its Android operating system that no financial settlement would do. He just wanted it gone.
“I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong,” Jobs said. “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.”
Jobs used an expletive to describe Android and Google Docs, Google’s Internet-based word processing program. In a subsequent meeting with Schmidt at a Palo Alto, Calif., cafe, Jobs told Schmidt that he wasn’t interested in settling the lawsuit, the book says.
“I don’t want your money. If you offer me $5 billion, I won’t want it. I’ve got plenty of money. I want you to stop using our ideas in Android, that’s all I want.”
The AP also details Jobs initial refusal to seek surgical treatment for his cancer. [AP]
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Is there a name for this phenomenon? When someone famous (and well liked) dies you have a period where the media is full of articles saying how wonderful they were and how we shall never see their like again. Then, once they’ve used up their stock of quotes and old photographs/footage of that person they start on dragging out the darker stuff.
It’s a fact, all people have done shitty things in their life, If you ran a major company, you probably did more then more and if you are a “visionary” or a driven person you probably did them quite often in pursuit of your goal.
I expect a lot more articles like this over the next few days (though probably not on Giz)
A general psycological term – Cognitive dissonance.
Thanks Tokey
“I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this” – there speaks a rational man….
Strange how this side was never really publicised as much as his ‘genius’.
He was the CEO of major company – you don’t get there without being a bit of a control freak and a bit of an idiot – surely that just comes with the job.
They let people who are willing to go genuine, rather than figurative Themonuclear War run this and other countries. Sometimes being rational is a hinderence. A favourite quote of mine is “Only the insane have strength enough to prosper, only those that prosper truly judge what’s sane.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU
That’s what the world really needed. One company (man) who would control every thing. You want some of this then pay the apple tax for it.
There is such a stark difference between Apple and Google.
Apple = take as much money as possible.
Do they offer anything with out you having to pay for it? No
Google = Let the world see the knowledge of others
Do they offer anything with out you having to pay for it? Yes
Google Docs, Maps, Earth the lit goes on and on.
At least MS gives you maps, mail etc.
Do you honestly beleive what you’ve just typed? Do you really beleive Google arent in it for the money?
I’de like to believe im not pro or anti most things. However, google irks (is that a word?) me for some reason.
Apple=They will take your money, and you give it freely.
Google=They will take your money, and you don’t even know it.
I’m not really sure which is worse tbh.
I never said Google does not want money, I was especially careful not to say that.
Google makes most its money from advertisers, so unless you are an advertiser and paying for addwords they will not take your money.
If you want to give Apple money and a lot do, then fine. I have no issue with that.
BTW when they bring out there own maps do you think they would let anyone else use it unless they purchase there product? I doubt it. But that’s what 99% of industry do Google seems a little different, its all free to the user.
Fair enough, apologies for putting word in your mouth. I do see what you’re saying. But it just sort of re-enforces my unease with Google.
Only way I can describe it is, Google comes across like a used car salesman, always a hint of subtrafuge and the voice in the back of your head saying, “Nothing in life is truly free, somethings up.” And Apple is like a BMW dealership. Horribly over priced, but you know what you’re getting.
I hope it doesnt come across like im pitting the two against each other and favouring Apple. Because im not. Just pointing out how each make me feel as a consumer.
Apple to me has always been like bose, or sony, or porsche. You don’t necessarily pay for the product, you pay for the brand, which gives you assured quality.
Google to me is like our home’s electricity supply: versatile, seemingly limitless and free, indispensable, but one day you’ll end up getting the bill and say Whoah, how the hell did that happen?
And then you’ll have to pay the price.