steve jobs Archives - Gizmochina

Apple’s Steve Jobs’ Signed Business Card Fetches $181,183 in an Auction

Anubhav — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 02:04:08 +0000

A piece of Apple history has fetched a hefty price tag. A business card signed by Steve Jobs sold for a staggering $181,183 (roughly 1.312 million yuan) at RR Auctions on March 24th. This “ultra-rare, immaculate” card, estimated to be from around 1983, sold for a whopping 14 times the price of an unsigned Apple business card previously sold at the same auction house.

The card is one of the only five known certified Steve Jobs business cards

While not entirely flawless – the card shows some fading, a minor stain on the front, and faint tape marks on the back – its exceptional condition for a 40-year-old item is a key factor in its value. Signed memorabilia is even more desirable when its authenticity can be verified. This particular business card boasts certification from the prestigious Professional Sports Memorabilia Authentication Agency (PSA) with a coveted “Gem Mint Level 10” rating.

The card offers a glimpse into a key time for Apple. Signed during Jobs’ tenure as chairman of the board, it predates the launch of the iconic Macintosh computer. Apple’s main product at the time was the Apple Lisa, the world’s first commercial PC with a graphical user interface (GUI), even more advanced than the Macintosh but ultimately less commercially successful.

According to RR Auction House, this is one of only five known Steve Jobs business cards to have successfully passed PSA/DNA authentication. The signature itself is described as “neatly positioned and very clear.” It won’t be too long before another piece of Apple’s history shows up and sets a huge new record in the auction scene. Who knows? We’ll have to wait and watch.

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12 Years Later, Steve Jobs’ Legacy keeps on Growing with every iPhone Launch

Anubhav — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:42:49 +0000

Today marks the 12th death anniversary of Steve Jobs, a visionary who not only co-founded Apple Inc. but also revolutionized the smartphone industry. Before the advent of the iPhone in 2007, smartphones were largely clunky devices with physical keyboards and limited functionality. They were primarily targeted at business users for functions like email and basic internet browsing.

Steve Jobs saw the vision of the perfect iPhone before it ever existed

Jobs saw the potential for something much grander. His vision was a device that combined an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator. The iPhone was born out of this vision and it changed the way we think about smartphones. Gone were the physical keyboards, to be replaced by a sleek, all-glass device with a single ‘home’ button. The user interface was intuitive, making it accessible not just to tech-savvy individuals but to the general public as well.

Image Credits: AB

The introduction of the App Store was another game-changer. Before this, installing new applications on a phone was cumbersome and often required going through a carrier. The App Store democratized the process, allowing developers to create applications and publish them on a platform that was accessible to millions of users. This gave birth to an entirely new ecosystem and economy, enabling things like mobile gaming, social media apps, and countless other utilities that we take for granted today.

Moreover, Jobs emphasized the importance of design, not just in terms of aesthetics but also in user experience. This approach influenced other smartphone manufacturers to up their game, making design a key aspect in the development process. This focus on user-centric design and ease of use became the industry standard.

Steve Jobs did more than just introduce a new gadget to the world; he altered our very relationship with technology. By pushing the boundaries of what a phone could do, he moved us from a paradigm where mobile devices were mere utilities to one where they act as extensions of ourselves. They’re not just for calls and texts; they’re our photographers, our libraries, our banks, and our social circles all rolled into one palm-sized device. Jobs understood that technology could be both functional and aspirational, and he gave us a device that fulfills needs we didn’t even know we had. As we commemorate his 12th death anniversary today, it’s clear that his legacy isn’t just in the devices we hold, but in how we engage with the digital world every single day.

Apple-1 Ad Written by Steve Jobs Becomes Most Expensive Piece of Paper Ever Sold

Oğuz Çakır — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:36:48 +0000

Steve Jobs and Apple are undoubtedly one of the most iconic duos in the history of technology. Jobs founded the company in 1976 and was in charge for nine years until 1985. Although the final years of this period were marked by financial struggles, many important ideas for new products started back then. hat’s why items from this time are seen as very valuable and are often sold for a lot of money at auctions. For example, we previously mentioned that a rare, sealed first-generation iPhone with 4GB storage sold for a record-breaking price at an auction. Now, an Apple-1 advertisement written by Steve Jobs has sold for $175,759 at an auction.

Handwritten Apple-1 Ad Offers a Glimpse into Steve Jobs’ Vision for the Future of Personal Computing

Steve Jobs was a highly influential figure in Apple‘s early days. Moreover, many people he worked with said he liked to control “everything” and he played a significant role in various aspects of a product’s. Believe it or not, he was also involved in advertising. Even though he had never done it before, he often made big decisions about ads. He even wrote the ad for the first Apple computer in 1976. Now, that ad has been sold for over $175,000 at an auction.

The ad is dated March 1976, just a few months before the Apple-1 was first released. It is written on a piece of notebook paper and is filled with technical specifications for the computer, as well as Jobs’ thoughts on its potential.The ad begins by describing the Apple-1 as “a complete computer on a single circuit board.” It then goes on to list the computer’s features, including 8K of RAM, a built-in keyboard, and a video output that can be connected to a television.

The ad also emphasizes the Apple-1’s affordability. Jobs writes that the computer is “a real deal” and that it is “Board only + manual.” The sale of the ad for over $175,000 is a testament to its historical significance. It is a rare and valuable artifact that will be cherished by collectors and historians for years to come.

What do you think of the handwritten Apple-1 ad? Would you pay $175,000 for it? Don’t forget to share your views with us.

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Tim Cook Surpasses Steve Jobs’ Tenure as Apple CEO

Anubhav — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 07:45:44 +0000

Steve Jobs is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the tech industry, largely due to his tenure as CEO of Apple. Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 and oversaw the development of several groundbreaking products, including the first Macintosh computer, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad. During his time as CEO, Jobs was known for his intense focus on design and user experience, as well as his perfectionism and insistence on maintaining control over every aspect of Apple’s products. His leadership style was often controversial, but there is no denying the tremendous impact he had on the company’s success. Under Jobs’ leadership, Apple became one of the most valuable companies in the world and a leader in innovation and design. Jobs’ legacy continues to influence Apple’s culture and approach to product development, and his impact on the tech industry as a whole is undeniable. As of today, Tim Cook, Apple’s current CEO surpassed the tenure of Steve Jobs’ time in office, which was previously 4,249 days.

Tim Cook took over as CEO of Apple in 2011 following the passing of Steve Jobs. Prior to becoming CEO, Cook served as Apple’s COO and played a critical role in the company’s operations and supply chain management. Since taking over, Cook has continued to build on the foundation laid by Jobs, overseeing the release of several successful products, including the iPhone 12 and the M1 chip for Macs. Cook has also focused on expanding Apple’s services business, which includes the App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud.

Under Cook’s leadership, Apple has become the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach a market capitalization of $2 trillion. Cook has also been vocal about his commitment to social and environmental responsibility, with Apple making significant strides in areas such as renewable energy and worker rights. While Cook’s leadership style is more low-key than Jobs’, he has proven to be a highly effective CEO, and Apple remains one of the world’s most successful and innovative companies under his guidance.

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A Convincing Deepfake of Steve Jobs Announcing “ChatGPT by Apple” has been Created with Only ChatGPT and a Voice Synthesiser

Leo Wong De Quan — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 13:07:03 +0000

An AI-generated deepfake of Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple, unveiling a “new” AI technology by the company has gone viral on social media platforms like Reddit and YouTube.

Video content creator, Synthetic Voices on YouTube, had posted a recent video on their channel, titled “Steve Jobs on ChatGPT: The Future of AI Communication”.

The aforementioned video is posted below:

The 1 minute 27 second audio used in the video was scripted by ChatGPT, the famously known language model developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI and the voice of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, was read out by a machine-learning voice synthesizer, elevenlabs.io.

The advanced technology, which uses deep learning algorithms and a voice synthesizer, was able to mimic the speech and mannerisms of the iconic entrepreneur, leaving many onlookers convinced that Steve Jobs had returned from the dead. The incident has raised questions about the capabilities of AI in mimicking human speech and behaviour, as well as the ethics of using such technology to impersonate real individuals.

The viral sensation also has sparked discussions about the future of AI and its potential impact on society. Some have praised the technology for its ability to revolutionize industries and improve our daily lives, while others have raised concerns about the potential for misuse and abuse of the technology.

Internet users are also cautious that with such advancements come ethical concerns, especially when it comes to impersonating real individuals without their consent.

To follow the latest on tech news around the world, stay tuned to our coverage here on Gizmochina.

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Apple fan shells $218,750 for a decrepit pair of sandals worn by Steve Jobs

Jed John Ikoba — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:19:25 +0000

An Apple aficionado has paid more than $218,000 for Apple founder, late Steve Jobs’ pair of sandals. The memorable and grubby Birkenstock sandals reportedly still have sweat stains from Jobs. The buyer who remains anonymous purchased the old sandals through the Icons & Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll Auction by Julien’s House. The sandals also come with NFC.

The auction house says the old Steve Jobs sandals were saved by Mark Sheff, a former house manager for Jobs. Sheff is reported to have picked the sandals from trash during his time working in the Apple co-founder’s house. This was after one of Jobs’ house cleanout exercises. The auction house valued its expectation of the Birkenstock sandals at $60,000 but it almost quadrupled such expectation with its final price of $218,750. The NFT that was offered to the auction winner together with the physical sandals contains a 360-degree representation of the memorabilia.

The remarkable purchase of the Birkenstock sandals belonging to the Apple co-founder has again fueled the perspective of the existence of an Apple cult. For a fact, the Cupertino-based tech behemoth had drawn millions of people under its canopy with its panoply of cutting-edge iPhones, laptops, smartwatches, and other tech devices. The existence of an actual Apple cult is unlikely, but the company continues to draw new fans into its fold while some others have obviously given Jobs a cult status, years after his demise.

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Steve Job’s daughter takes a jab at Apple, calls iPhone 14 identical to iPhone 13

Sean — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 05:45:54 +0000

Apple has just recently announced its highly anticipated iPhone 14 series. But soon after the Far Out event earlier this week, Eve Jobs, the daughter of Steve Jobs took to social media to call out the brand for basically launching the iPhone 13 again with just a different number.

The daughter of the founder of the Cupertino based giant shared a meme on her Instagram handle. Here, the meme carried the caption “Me upgrading from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14 after Apple’s announcement today,” and also included an image in which a man can be seen opening presents and finding the same exact shirt as the one he’s already wearing. In other words, Eve Jobs took a jab at Apple and called out the iPhone 14 for basically being a new iPhone 13 model.

This isn’t new for the iPhone maker, since it always faces a high number of trolls on social media and other platforms after its annual smartphone launches. With the brand using the same iconic design for the iPhone for the past couple of years, the new iPhone launches every year practically look identical to one another. Meanwhile, the sole difference is typically related to the internal specifications.

However, this situation is further made worse for Apple considering it launched the base iPhone 14 model with the same A15 Bionic chipset that is found in the last year’s iPhone 13. Although, the company claims that the new model offers enhanced performance and improve power efficiency. But it seems like to many, it still feels like the same smartphone being relaunched.

PCB designed by Woz that helped Apple secure its first major order up for auction

Divyansh Mehta — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:03:01 +0000

This week, a significant piece of computer history surfaced in an online auction. A prototype Apple Computer A, allegedly built by none other than Steve Wozniak and once held by Steve Jobs, is up for auction as Lot #5006 on RR Auctions.

If it doesn’t have a distinguished pedigree to interest bidders, there is photographic proof that this is the production prototype for the Apple 1 and that it helped Apple land its first “major” order, the sale of 50 pre-assembled Apple 1s to The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California. Currently, at $278,005, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that is up for auction is likely to fetch more than $500,000 at the end of the auction . Notably, the auction ends on August 19.

(SOURCE: RR Auctions)

Steve Jobs didn’t take good care of the PCB when he had it in his possession. It is believed to have been neglected at the Apple Garage for several years after receiving the historic order before Jobs gave it to the present owner about 30 years ago.

The breaks and cracks in the PCB and the fact that some chips and capacitors are missing—likely because they were given to other projects in the garage or PCs in production—show that it was mistreated. In addition, images of the working prototype reveal that the top right corner of the arrangement is missing a number of big orange Sprague Atom capacitors. The CPU is also missing.

(SOURCE: RR Auctions)

Since this is the Apple 1 prototype, it should have had a MOS 6502 CPU running at 1 MHz, a 40 x 24 character output, and 4 KB of RAM that could be expanded to 8 KB or 48 KB using expansion cards, and 456 KB of storage (tape). But as a prototype, this Apple Computer A was a little more adaptable because, according to the auction information, it could have operated with a socketed Motorola 6800 processor rather than a MOS 6502.

Between this prototype and the first 50 Apple 1 computers that were sold, there are a number of other differences. According to RR Auctions, Woz exclusively soldered this particular model using his distinctive “three-handed” method.

According to the auction advertisement, the first batch of Apple 1 computers only cost $40 or less to make; nevertheless, thanks to the assembly, software, and other value-added services, as well as profit, The Byte Shop was able to sell each one for $666.66. Notably, The Byte Shop was one of the world’s first computer shops and the first one on the globe to sell an Apple computer.

Would fixing it and getting it back in working order be wrong? It is not a very attractive PCB, and its condition is appalling. Nevertheless, it is believed that a collector or business is going to let it be in its current state of deterioration and behind glass for safekeeping. I mean, you have to keep a half-a-million dollar piece of modern history safe, no matter what days it has seen earlier.

Dell PCs would perhaps be running macOS today had this deal taken off

Zohaib Ahmed — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 09:19:57 +0000

On the tenth anniversary of Steve Jobs’ passing, industry heavyweights are sharing memories of the late tech visionary, with one from Michael Dell suggesting a prospective deal that could have changed history.

In an interview with CNET, Dell talked about his friendship with Jobs and his new memoir, “Play Nice But Win: A CEO’s Journey from Founder to Leader,” stating he first met the late Apple co-founder at a computer user group (via: Apple Insider). Sure, this bit of information has been public knowledge for a while now, but Dell has provided a new piece of info this time that Apple has kept under wraps.

Image: Apple Insider

Dell stated that he became friends with Jobs after he solidified his company’s position as a leader in the PC industry. He revealed that Jobs visited him several times in order to convince him to adopt the NeXT operating system. This was likely because the OS and its expensive workstation were not seeing the commercial success that was expected.

Dell declined the propositions citing a lack of software and consumer interest.

But it didn’t end there. Jobs resumed talks once again in 1997 upon returning to Apple as interim CEO after the struggling computer firm acquired NeXT. This time, he asked Dell to license a version of macOS, since Apple engineers had ported the OS onto an x86 machine.

That sure got Dell interested and he agreed on paying a licensing for every PC sold with macOS. However, Jobs was concerned that this would eat into Apple Mac sales, due to which he then proposed installing Mac OS and Windows side-by-side on all Dell computers. This would allow customers to choose which OS to use. Of course, Dell would pay Apple a cut of all computer sales.

Dell HQ today (By Jjpwiki – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

This didn’t sit right with Dell because he would’ve had to pay Apple the fees even if his customers preferred Windows. Moreover, Jobs was unable to guarantee continued access to the software.

“It could have changed the trajectory for Windows and Mac OS on PCs,” Dell noted. “But obviously, they went in a different direction.”

Jobs and Dell were rivals in a competitive industry, and they would openly trade jabs. When asked in 1997 what he would do with the then-underwater Apple, Dell replied he would “shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders.”

Despite the public jabs and fierce competition, Dell emphasizes the two remained friends.

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Caviar’s custom iPhone 12 Pro is inspired by the iPhone 4 & is dedicated to Steve Jobs

Jed John Ikoba — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:31:40 +0000

Whenever the story of the Apple brand is told, there is no missing out on the massive role played by the enigmatic Steve Jobs whose innovative ideas saw to the growth of the company to where it is today. The late Apple CEO led the team which developed some of the most iconic devices in smartphone history. This includes the iPhone 4, which is considered by some persons as being Apple’s best work yet.

Apart from his dope ideas, Jobs is well known for his casual dressing style. Whenever he montts the centre stage to unveil a new product, he does that donning his iconic black turtleneck, jeans, and New Balance sneakers.

Luxury brand Caviar best known for its premium customizations of various gadgets, is celebrating the historic moment of the release of the iPhone 4 with a custom variant of the latest glagship iPhone 12 Pro dubbed iPhone 12 Pro Jobs 4. There is equally an iPhone 12 Pro Max version.

The design of the premium customised version is said to have been inspired by the iPhone 4. In this regards it bears the design style of the iPhone 4 but packs all the cutting edge tech of the iPhone 12-series.

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The customizations on the iPhone 12 Pro Job 4 includes a small piece of Job’s turtleneck housed on the Apple logo at the rear. The Gold-plated version has an 18 karat gold logo and a rear casing made from hardened, blackened titanium. This version starts at just under $9,000.

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The cheapest version is the Black variant which starts at $6,500. The back panel and Apple logo are both made out of titanium. While there is a mid version available in White and priced a little over $7,000. The back panel of the white varaint is made of G-10 and the Apple logo is 925 sterling silver.

Furthermore, there is a fourth variant known as the Steve Jobs 1st and it looks like a throwback to the original iPhone 4. It has an all-titanium back panel, but with the lower part blackened for a dual-tone finish.

Do note that all the editions will be available in only 10 units each.

Apart from the custom iPhones, Caviar is also selling 30 pairs of custom New Balance 991 sneakers. These also have a piece of turtleneck in them, plus a titanium plate with the famous “Think Different” slogan. The sneakers carry a price tag of $1,830 a pair.

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Court Rules Italian Duo Can Call Their Clothing Company ‘Steve Jobs’

Michele Ingelido — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 20:24:33 +0000

Vincenzo and Giacomo Barbato are the names of two brothers from Naples, Italy, who won a legal battle against Apple and called their company Steve Jobs. Even though the two brothers gave their company the same name of Apple’s founder and a logo which shares many things in common with Apple’s logo, the court decided to uphold the trademark. The brothers decided to give their company this name in 2012, a year after Steve Jobs’ death.

Before creating this company, they kept creating products for other brands for years. At a certain point, they decided to start their own clothing and accessory company, and they noticed that Apple had never trademarked the name of its founder. When Apple realized that the name of the company was Steve Jobs, it decided to start a legal fight.

But according to the court, the brothers did nothing wrong, and even though the logo (which consists of a letter J) contains a bite and a leaf which remind of the Apple logo, it does not represent something edible and it cannot be convicted. Actually, the Steve Jobs company produces clothes and accessories, including bags, t-shirts, and jeans. But in the future, the two brothers from Italy are intentioned to expand in the electronics market, so they may even decide to release a Steve Jobs phone in the attempt to compete with Apple and its iPhones.

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