Tech Week in Review 8-26-2011

Steve Jobs Steps Down. Tim Cook Steps Up.

Yes, you read that right. Steve Jobs is no longer the CEO of Apple. Tim Cook, former COO, will step in to take wheel as Apple gets ready to launch the iPhone 5. In his resignation letter, Jobs says he would like to move to Chairman of the Board. This change is apparently due to the health issues that Jobs has battled with over the years. Rather than allow these issues to force him out, Jobs has decided to take matters into his own hands and take himself out of the game.

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

It is a known fact that Apple has previously floundered without Jobs at the helm. Many feel that his absence from the CEO position will bring major change once again. In an attempt to prevent panic, Tim Cook sent a letter to Apple employees. Among other things, he ensures that Apple will not change.

I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple’s unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that—it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

via ARS

Facebook Revamps Privacy and Sharing Controls

In a move that seems like a reaction to Google+, Facebook has made it much easier to control who sees what on your Facebook profile and shares. One pet peeve of mine that many people share regarding Facebook is the levels of buried privacy options and difficulty in configuring features. Now, many of these controls are just a click away. The similarity with Google+ features is pretty obvious here, but I don’t think even a full-fledged implementation of Circles would be enough to keep users focused on Facebook. Google+ is the shiny new thing and Circles is only one of the reasons users are loving it.

via Facebook

Skype Buying GroupMe

Born at a hackathon at TechCrunch Disrupt in New York in 2010, group messaging service GroupMe is to be acquired by everyone’s favorite video calling service Skype. Tony Bates, Skype CEO, says that talks have been going on for months. Many GroupMe fans are hoping that this acquisition doesn’t interfere with GroupMe. Many of these folks are probably recalling what happened to the Beluga group messaging service when it was acquired by Facebook. Namely, the fact that a Facebook account was suddenly a requirement to use the service. As it stands, GroupMe will remain standalone brand.

“GroupMe creates a very sticky instant feeling. Like Skype, it is an everyday interactive form of communication. Skype’s goal is to get to 1 billion users. Mobile is the place to do that.” — Tony Bates

via TechCrunch

About the Author
Rahsheen has been a certified geek since before it was the thing to do. He started programming and tinkering in the 4th grade. Now, Rahsheen mostly writes on various sites about technology trends in social media and mobile. . He is also a musician, singer, rapper, writer, and producer. @rahsheen - +Rahsheen Porter - coachrah.com
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