Apple was aware that Steve Jobs was on his deathbed at the subdued iPhone 4S announcement. Not only that, but they met with police in Palo Alto, California earlier in the week to notify them that Steve Jobs was close to death, and to arrange for additional security around his home.
Following the meeting, the police devised a plan to put patrols in the area around the former Apple chief executive officer’s Palo Alto home once they heard from the company that he had died, according to Sandra Brown, the spokeswoman.
The Apple representatives told the police department there was “a possibility that it could happen this week,” Brown said in a phone interview. “It’s common sense for us to work together. If you think about who he was and his contribution to the world, people might come out in masses.”
As it turned out, though, most people respected the Jobses need for privacy: only around 40 people showed up to Steve Jobs’ home on the first day, with most preferring to mourn at Apple Stores around the world, as well as at the Cupertino Campus.
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
32 responses to “Apple Knew Steve Jobs Was On His Death Bed At iPhone 4S Event, Worked With Local Police To Prepare”
Is that an iPad in the middle?
It must have been so much harder for Cook and everyone to stand on stage knowing that information about Steve.
someone probably just put it there for the picture, unless that person is really stupid
I don’t think that Cook did a bad job at all but if the critics are hearing this, can you understand why he must have been “sub optimal” in your eye’s? His mentor was dying. Geez. Cook is great and will lead Apple with no problem.
Anyone who watched the keynote would have known this. Tim Cook looked like he was sidetracked and Forstall wasn’t his “software geek” giddy self. Very sad, but also shows you that Apple is in great hands.
Why do you suppose they didn’t just cancel it?
There were iPads left at several stores with images of SJ, as well as old Macs of all kinds.
The keynote?
Probably because Steve and family told them not to. Canceling would led to too many rumors.
A lot of folks also forget that Tim is naturally very subdued. Even without this, he wasn’t going to be jumping up and down etc
Possibly to respect Steve’s wishes? He wasn’t a person who gave up ever.
i bet they may have if it happened in the days before. but that’s probably not what he would have wanted. maybe more people will upgrade in tribute.
Well, it was so comforting to read this. I thought he left us without saying goodbye to anyone but his family. Thought Apple didn’t know it was going to happen. Thought it would have been as surprisingly for Apple as it was for us. But now I know he probably has said goodbye to his second family: the Apple company.
Exactly!
Or perhaps that person holds people in higher regard than stuff?
I never met Steve Jobs and to be honest I never thought I would but reading the sad news that Steve has passed away has left a huge hole in my heart.
I saw the news on my iPad and I typed this on my MacBook, both devices which give me so much pleasure and improve my productivity daily. I have been a huge fan of Apple since 1994 and have valued so much the vision and direction that Steve Jobs gave to Apple.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues as they take in the news.
Apple is a very strong company and I am confident of the legacy that Steve has left for the future.
RIP Steve Jobs – you were a true visionary and have impacted on so many people’s lives around the world.
Steve Jobs 1955 – 2011
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I never met Steve Jobs and to be honest I never thought I would but reading the sad news that Steve has passed away has left a huge hole in my heart.
I saw the news on my iPad and I typed this on my MacBook, both devices which give me so much pleasure and improve my productivity daily. I have been a huge fan of Apple since 1994 and have valued so much the vision and direction that Steve Jobs gave to Apple.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues as they take in the news.
Apple is a very strong company and I am confident of the legacy that Steve has left for the future.
RIP Steve Jobs – you were a true visionary and have impacted on so many people’s lives around the world.
Steve Jobs 1955 – 2011