1989 – 4 years after resigning from Apple, Steve Jobs and his newest company NeXT finally release the NeXTstepOS. It is a Unix based system, with some aspects of BSD and using the Mach kernal. This is the OS that will eventually merge into Apple when Jobs comes back.
1990 – The NeXTstation is finally released. It used the 68040 Motorola processor running 33MHz and the 68882 math co-processor running at 25 MHz. 2.88 MB floppy, 8 MB RAM, monochrome monitor, all for $4.995.If you wanted 4096 colors, that would cost you – $7,995.
1997– Microsoft purchased WebTV back in April for $425 Million. It didn’t take long for the Justice department to clear the purchase, so Microsoft geared down to integrate the WebTV machine. Today, Microsoft showed off the new and improved WebTV. Unfortunately, it was still using Dial up. Back in 97, broadband wasn’t a common thing in the house. Still, it would have been great for people that wanted to choose.By the way, you can still get a WebTV box.
1985 – After an interesting power struggle with John Sculley, Steve Jobs decides to throw in the towel and tenders his resignation at Apple. He announces at the Board meeting he and other low level employees will be starting a new company – NeXT. The next day, Jobs tells John Sculley that Bud Tribble, Dan’l Lewin, George Crow, Rich Page, and Susan Barnes will be leaving to join him.
Jobs new company would end up becoming the foundation of Mac when it is bought by Apple in 1996 and Steve Jobs comes back to become CEO.
August 28, 2008 – Psystar came on the scene earlier in the year with a machine that would contain Windows, Linux or Mac software. Of course, this has not been without controversy. Apple finally put together a lawsuit, but instead of Psystar accepting, they decided to countersue. The reason why: Anticompetitive Nature.
The Defendant – Jeffery Howell had willfully and intentionally destroyed evidence related to his peer-to-peer activities after being notified of pending legal action by the RIAA. Furthermore, since it was done in bad faith, it “therefore warrants appropriate sanctions.
The RIAA went after Pamela and Jeffrey Howell for copyright infringement back in 2006. They claimed Kazaa was used to make copyrighted files available for download. Jeffrey then tried to cover his tracks by erasing the hard drive. Not a good practice, there.
August 24, 2011 – Steve Jobs, unable to continue due to failing health, officially puts his resignation in to Apple. He asks for his successor to be Tim Cook, then COO of Apple. The Board of Directors agree and announce the changing of CEO. The official resignation letter read:
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. The official resignation letter read:
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
1995 – Microsoft releases Windows 95. It was a stellar event with it’s newest operating system. The first MS OS in 32 bit mode, it also debut TCP/IP, dial up networking and Long Filename support. The event brought along many different celebrations, including places like New York, which lit up the Empire State Building with the Windows colors.
IBM wasn’t sure if they were getting Windows 95 until 15 minutes before release. Companies like HP and Compaq (at that time they were separate) were able to let consumers know that they will get upgrades, but IBM could not make that promise.
August 20, 2008: When the 3G iPhonereleased, some people started complaining about the connection. Apple wasn’t saying anything. An independant company stated that the “Infineon” chip that helped control 3G was to blame for the issue. It was suspected that a software update would fix the problem.However the 2.0.2 software update didn’t really help with the connection problems. Add to it the fact that a woman was suing Apple over the 3G network being slower than advertised.
Steve Jobs finally put out a letter stating that by 2.1 the issues will be resolved.
It was the day that will live in infamy. Apple on the verge of collapse. Steve Jobs in dire need. So he calls on the only person that can help – Bill Gates.
Well, it didn’t happen that way. But in 1997, at MacWorld Expo, the two come together to announce a five year alliance. Microsoft buys $150 Million of non-voting stock into Apple and hold it for 3 years. Patents will be cross-licensed for the next 5 years. Microsoft Office would be created for Mac computers. Internet Explorer would also be developed for the Mac OS.
This is considered one of the 10 most pivotal moments in tech history. Of course, Steve Jobs changed directions and Apple grew after this moment. Although some might have said this was one of Apple’s worst moments in time, it really turned out to be their best.
Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for August 6