Even before Apple founder Steve Jobs cleaned out his CEO desk, rival companies are commenting on his legacy and bravery in the face of illness. Although Jobs’ departure may be his rivals’ only chance to compete with Apple, the glowing words should be for a dead leader, not one of the most ferocious competitors in Silicon Valley.
“What gets forgotten is the bravery with which he’s confronted his illness,” Sony CEO Howard Stringer said, reacting to the news that Jobs will step down from Apple leadership. “For him to achieve this much success under these circumstances doubles his legacy,” Stringer announced.
Sony is one of a growing list of Apple frenemies. Although Sony is a supplier (the company is rumored to provide the camera for the upcoming iPhone 5) it is also a competitor in smartphones, laptops and e-readers. Although the Tokyo-based company rose 2.1 percent following word that Jobs will step down, one analyst called it a short-lived response.
Jobs’ absence from the CEO spot will provide rivals “a bit more of a lease of life to go out and compete harder,” Richard Windsor, analyst with Nomura International Plc, told Bloomberg Thursday. However, the thought of Tim Cook replacing Jobs has been a topic of frequent discussion. “You get an initial knee-jerk reaction on the downside, we would probably expect that not to last long,”
Nokia, which has been taken to the cleaners by Apple, described Jobs as a “visionary” and believes “Steve and his team will have a positive impact on our industry for many years to come,” CEO Stephen Elson emailed Bloomberg. But it might not be the sort of impact Nokia wants.
“Because of Tim Cook’s competence and the system at Apple, the competitive landscape isn’t likely to change anytime soon,” concludes Lee Young Seog, analyst with Seoul’s Korea Investment Management Company.
