Steve Jobs' Biography Sales Jump 42,000 Percent Upon Death
UPDATED: Walter Isaacson's book is the first-ever authorized bio of the Apple co-founder, who died Wednesday at age 56.
The untimely death of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Wednesday at age 56 has given a boost to sales of the upcoming authorized biography Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.
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The book is No. 1 on Amazon's "Movers & Shakers" list, as sales have increased by 42,000 percent since Apple announced Jobs' death. The book moved from No. 424 to No. 1 on Amazon's overall sales rankings and also is at No. 4 at Barnes & Noble.
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Steve Jobs is scheduled for publication Nov. 21 by Simon & Schuster. There is no word yet from the publisher if the publication date will be moved up in the wake of Jobs' death.
Steve Jobs is based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, colleagues, and competitors.
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Isaacson, the former managing editor of TIME and the author of previous best sellers about Benjamin Franklin and Henry Kissinger, was supposedly given complete access to Jobs, including a personal tour of his childhood home.
Few other details of the book have leaked to the public. But The New York Times speculated when the book was announced in February 2010 that "cooperation ... could be a sign that Mr. Jobs has emerged from his recent health battles with more of an interest in shaping his legacy."
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Steve Jobs marked the first -- and, it turns out, only -- authorized biography of the famed Apple chief executive.
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The Apple co-founder died Wednesday after years of failing health.
Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder who used digital technology to resurrect animated feature films, reshape the music industry and shake up film and television distribution models, died Wednesday. He was 56.
Jobs, a computer genius who, with fellow college dropout Steve Wozniak, built the first Apple computers from the Jobs' family garage, died in California.
PHOTOS: 10 Memorable Milestones of Steve Jobs' Career
"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor," a statement on the official Apple website said. "Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."
A Buddhist and vegetarian who once handed out bottles of carrot juice to trick-or-treaters, Jobs was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 when he disclosed that doctors had removed a cancerous tumor from his pancreas.
Jobs and Wozniak introduced the Apple II computer in 1977 and took their company public in 1980, an event that made Jobs a multimillionaire able to set his sights on conquering the entertainment industry. He succeeded by turning Pixar into what is arguably the most consistent film studio in history and by becoming the largest shareholder of Disney, the industry's most iconic company.
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Born in San Francisco on Feb. 24, 1955, to an unmarried couple, Jobs was adopted by Clara and Paul Jobs. As early as high school, Jobs was plotting a course that included the creation of world-changing products leading to personal fame and fortune. Along the way, he feuded with some of the most powerful men in the fields of technology and entertainment, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, longtime Disney CEO Michael Eisner and even The Beatles.
In earlier times an egomaniac who once dressed up as Jesus Christ at a Halloween party, Jobs even lost control of Apple, necessitating that he engineer one of the business world's most successful comebacks of all time. In 1983, Jobs famously convinced PepsiCo executive John Sculley to become Apple CEO by asking: "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?"
A year later, Apple made advertising history with a Super Bowl commercial directed by Ridley Scott that introduced the Mac computer. One year after that, Sculley, in concert with the board of directors, ousted Jobs from Apple. "What can I say? I hired the wrong guy," Jobs said in a 1996 PBS documentary. "He destroyed everything I spent 10 years working for, starting with me."
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The year he left Apple, Jobs created a new company, NeXT Computer, and a year later he purchased another, the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm for $10 million.
Jobs would own 92 percent of that CG-company purchased from Star Wars creator George Lucas, with Alvy Ray Smith and Ed Catmull sharing the remaining 8 percent. It was Smith's idea to call the new entity Pixar.
With the addition of John Lasseter and some of the most inventive animators in the business, the team set out to make the first feature film based on Pixar's CG-images, a goal so lofty that, had the film flopped, it could have ended Jobs's corporate comeback. Toy Story, though, was the biggest hit of 1995, paving the way for a Pixar IPO and a lucrative partnership with Disney, the film's distributor.
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Jobs earned his way back to Apple in December 1996 when Gil Amelio, who took over the CEO spot from Sculley three years earlier, purchased NeXT for $429 million. Within eight months, Jobs had convinced the board to lose Amelio and name Jobs interim CEO. In 2000, Jobs made the title permanent.
With the music industry reeling from Internet users who preferred sharing music to buying it, Apple created the iPod and iTunes, with Jobs handling the arduous task of obtaining the digital rights to songs that he would sell to consumers for 99 cents apiece. Having been battered by digital pirates, music executives were skeptical of the iTunes Music Store back then, according to Hilary Rosen, head of the RIAA at the time, but they were won over by Jobs's passion.
"The shift came about above all because of the sheer willpower of Steve. His sheer charisma and his intensity absolutely made a difference," Rosen said, according to the book iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business, by Jeffrey Young and William Simon. "Steve is an incredible music fan. For people in the music industry, that was very special."
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Jobs, who once dated folk singer Joan Baez, named his computer company Apple in part because of his admiration for the Beatles and their Apple Records. But when the iTunes music store used an apple for its logo, Apple Corp. sued. Four years later, the two settled their legal differences, and iTunes began selling Beatles music in November (2010).
As Apple the computer company was shaking up the music industry, Pixar, the other company run by Jobs, was enjoying a streak of hits with A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, and Jobs was trying to squeeze a better distribution deal from Disney's then-CEO Michael Eisner.
The negotiations became so rancorous that former vp Al Gore, an Apple board member, stepped in, to no avail.
Jobs called Pixar "the most powerful and trusted brand in animation," and he doubted that Pixar could ever strike a deal with Disney as long as Eisner was at the helm, according to iCon. That feud, too, was settled in favor of Jobs when, after Eisner quit Disney, new CEO Bob Iger purchased Pixar in January 2006 for about $7.4 billion, giving Jobs a 7.4 percent stake in Disney and a seat on its board of directors.
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Even before Jobs joined Disney, he was taking advantage of the conglomerate's close association with Pixar to boost the potential of iTunes, which began supporting video in 2005. Along with music videos, some of the earliest content available were TV shows from Disney's ABC and Disney Channel networks like Desperate Housewives, Lost, That's So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
The introduction of the iPad on April 3, 2010, took portable viewing of video on-demand to a different level, and iTunes now offers thousands of film and TV titles.
"With Apple, Steve Jobs has created an unassailable ecosystem of iPods, iTunes, iPhones and iPads that has changed the world and destroyed all challengers for both the home and the enterprise, a heretofore unthinkable vision that no others can compete with worldwide," CNBC host Jim Cramer told The Hollywood Reporter.
But while Jobs has been on a roll for more than a decade as arguably the world's most influential man in digital entertainment, he died before he could guide Apple TV — which he once referred to as his "hobby" — to success.
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Apple TV, a fraction the size of a typical cable set-top box, moves iTunes collections, as well as video from YouTube, Netflix and other online suppliers, to TV screens. While generally reviewed as extraordinarily sleek and convenient, the product has yet to strike a chord with consumers the way iPod, iPad and iTunes have, a fact that insiders say disturbed Jobs more than he would let on.
At a Macworld Conference and Expo in 2007, Jobs used a hockey analogy to explain how he kept Apple's products ahead of the curve. "There's an old Wayne Gretzky quote that I love: 'I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.' And we've always tried to do that at Apple. Since the very, very beginning," he said.
Jobs often was criticized for being a perfectionist. In 1995 he told the Smithsonian Institution, "It's painful when you have some people who are not the best people in the world."
Friends say Jobs mellowed late in his life, focusing on family. "Parenthood changes one's world," he said. "It's almost like a switch gets flipped inside you, and you can feel a whole new range of feelings that you never thought you'd have."
Because of his poor health, Jobs has taken multiple leaves since 2004 from his position as CEO of Apple, and on Aug. 24 he relinquished the spot permanently. Jobs assumed the role of chairman of the board — a position that hadn't existed at the time — and Apple appointed then-COO Tim Cook its new chief executive.
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Steve Jobs 'Died Peacefully,' His Family Says
The Apple co-founder, who died on Wednesday, was 56.
On Wednesday, Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs died at 56 after years of failing health.
His family issued a statement in the afternoon, saying, "Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family."
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"In his public life, Steve was known as visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last years of Steve's illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories," the statement says.
"We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief," it concludes.
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Jobs, who formed Apple Inc. with Steve Wozniak, stepped down earlier this year, with Tim Cook taking over as CEO.
Apple's official statement on its website read: "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."
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Steve Jobs Remembered By Disney, Pixar Execs
The former CEO of Pixar and Disney board member died Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 56-years-old.
Following the death of Steve Jobs on Wednesday, Oct. 5, Hollywood is sharing memories of the beloved Apple CEO.
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The mastermind behind Apple's iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac and iTunes, had a long struggle with failing health after fighting an unusual form of pancreatic cancer, and in 2009 getting a liver transplant.
"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined," said Disney President and CEO, Robert Iger, in a statement. "Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. "
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"With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend," the statement continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time."
In a joint statement, Pixar's John Lasseter and Ed Catmull said: "Steve Jobs was an extraordinary visionary, our very dear friend and the guiding light of the Pixar family. He saw the potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us, and beyond what anyone ever imagined."
"Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer animated films; the one thing he always said was to simply 'make it great.' He is why Pixar turned out the way we did and his strength, integrity and love of life has made us all better people," the statement continued. "He will forever be a part of Pixar's DNA. Our hearts go out to his wife Laurene and their children during this incredibly difficult time."
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Jobs called Pixar "the most powerful and trusted brand in animation." When Iger purchased Pixar in January 2006 for about $7.4 billion, Jobs was given a 7.4 percent stake in Disney and a seat on its board of directors.
Even before Jobs joined Disney, he was taking advantage of the conglomerate's close association with Pixar to boost the potential of iTunes, which began supporting video in 2005. Along with music videos, some of the earliest content available were TV shows from Disney's ABC and Disney Channel networks like Desperate Housewives, Lost, That's So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
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Steve Jobs' Death: Hollywood Honors the Visionary
Producers, directors, actors and musicians were all moved to share their thoughts on the recently departed Apple co-founder.
Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs left behind a strong legacy in the world of technology and personal computing, but judging by the sheer number of Hollywood personalities that felt the need to share their condolencs on Twitter, his influence went far beyond that.
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Reality stars, actors, directors and comedians all shared their thoughts -- all of them seemingly heartfelt.
A few of the most notable Tweets:
Actor and comedian Albert Brooks
Had the pleasure of working for him and knowing him. He was our Edison. R.I.P. Steve Jobs.
Cowboys & Aliens director Jon Favreau
We lost a man of true vision today. Condolences to the whole Apple family.
Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof
Steve Jobs. On behalf of every dreamer sitting in his or her garage who is crazy enough to try to change the world, you will be missed.
How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris
Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. Your genius will live on for generations to come...
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Community star Donald Glover
R.I.P. Steve Jobs. I can honestly say you changed my life and the world many times over.
Internet personality Wil Wheaton
iRIP, Steve Jobs. Thank you for making incredible things, so we can live in the future.
Model and talk show host Tyra Banks
As I type on my iPhone, tears spring2 my eyes4an amazingMan I never met. His genius has touched us all. Steve Jobs, you will b/with us 4ever
Jay Manuel of America's Next Top Model
May he RIP... Steve was a groundbreaking genius who changed the face of computing! ;-(
Actress Rose McGowan
I am beyond sad about Steve Jobs' passing. Beyond.
Writer-director-actor Harry Shearer
Steve, thank you for changing our lives for the better.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World director Edgar Wright
Farewell and R.I.P. Steve Jobs. Written from a Macbook.
The Office writer-actress Mindy Kaling
Hard not to think how much Steve Jobs could've done with more years. So sad. You're the best, Steve.
Star Trek star LeVar Burton
Even though I never met him, I'm feeling the loss of Steve Jobs on a very personal level.
Skateboard star Tony Hawk
Steve Jobs was the man.
Fall Out Boy member Pete Wentz
RIP steve jobs. true legend.
Comedian Patton Oswalt
RIP Steve Jobs. Closest thing we had to Tony Stark.
Actor Steven Weber
"Death...is life's change agent..." Steve Jobs
Bachelorette Host Chris Harrison
RIP genius Steve Jobs. Incredibly sad. Thx for all the gifts he left us
TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington
Damn. People like steve jobs are supposed to live forever
Technology pundit Robert Scoble
Steve Jobs has died, Apple has reported. We have lost a great one.
TV host Suze Orman
So very sad that Steve Jobs has died. What a brilliant and kind man. We will miss you Steve.
Model and talk show host Tyra Banks
As I type on my iPhone, tears spring2 my eyes4an amazingMan I never met. His genius has touched us all. Steve Jobs, you will b/with us 4ever
Two and a Half Men star Ashton Kutcher
Avatar in memory of #stevejobs [Kutcher changed his profile photo to an Apple logo featured Jobs in silhouette]
Comedian Jeffrey Ross
Sad day. Apple's Steve Jobs bytes the dust. But the good news is he backed himself up. #roastinpeace
Actress Busy Phillipps
RIP Steve Jobs. What an incredible man. He will leave a legacy that will go far beyond his inventions...
Chuck star Zachary Levi
May we all aspire to change the world the way Steve Jobs has. We've only one life. Make the best of it. #ripstevejobs
Comedian Joe Rogan
Steve Jobs has died and left behind the greatest computer company the world has ever known. A vision reached, a dream fulfilled
John Hodgman, the "PC" from the Mac commercials
Everything good I have done, I have done on a Mac.
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Steve Jobs: 10 Memorable Milestones of the Apple Co-Founder's Career
A Buddhist and vegetarian who once handed out bottles of carrot juice to trick-or-treaters, Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. He died Oct. 5 at the age of 56. Jobs and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak introduced the Apple II computer in 1977 and took their company public in 1980, an event that made Jobs a multimillionaire able to set his sights on conquering the entertainment industry. He succeeded by turning Pixar into what is arguably the most consistent film studio in history and by becoming the largest shareholder of Disney, the industry's most iconic company. THR looks back at these and other career milestones of the American tech giant.
Pic 1
The two Steves: Jobs (on left) and Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak
Jobs founded Apple Computer with his friend Steve Wozniak in his parent's garage. Jobs sold his VW bus and Wozniak his scientific computer to raise the $1,300 to found Apple. The original Apple computers were hand-built by Wozniak.
pic 2:
With an Apple II in 1980, the year the company went public
When Apple went public in 1980 it was largest IPO since Ford in 1956. The original offering price was $14 a share but it ended the first day at $29, making more than 40 of Apple's 1,000 employees instant millionaires and Jobs personally worth over $200 million.
pic3
The famous "1984" commercial
Jobs introduced the iconic Macintosh computer to the public with the famous "1984" commercial alluding to George Orwell's famous novel of the same name. The Ridley Scott-directed commercial aired just once, during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984, but became an instant classic. The Macintosh was the first computer to feature a mouse and graphic user interface.
pic4
Toy Story-Pixar's first hit
After being forced out at Apple in a showdown with CEO John Sculley, Jobs bought the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $5 million after Disney passed on buying it for $15 million and he renamed it Pixar, focusing it on computer animation. Among its hits were Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Finding Nemo. When Disney finally bought the company from Jobs in 2006 it paid $7.4 billion.
pic5
The original iPod introduced in 2001
Launched Oct. 23, 2001 at a low-key event, the first iPod held 1,000 songs and was touted as "ultra-portable" and 30 times faster than any other MP3 player on the market at the time.
Jobs said at the launch, "Music's been around forever, it will always be around. This is not a speculative market. And because it's a part of everyone's life, it's a very large target market all around the world. It knows no boundaries."
pic6
The iTunes store for music and videos
Jobs added video to the company's popular iTunes software in 2006. "We're doing for video what we've done for music—we're making it easy and affordable to purchase and download, play on your computer, and take with you on your iPod. Right out of the gate we're offering 2,000 music videos, Pixar's short films and hit primetime TV shows like 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost'," said Jobs.
pic7
Apple TV
Available in 2007, Apple TV allowed users to wirelessly play iTunes content -- movies, TV shows, photos, podcasts -- on television sets.
The first $300 version had a 40GB hard drive that could store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each, and was capable of delivering high-definition 720p output.
pic8
The original iPhone
Jobs introduced the first iPhone, which featured a unique touch screen interface, on Jan. 9, 2007. "iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone," said Jobs. "We are all born with the ultimate pointing device -- our fingers -- and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse."
pic9
Apple iPad introduced in 2010
After years of fevered speculation, Jobs unveiled the Apple iPad on January 27, 2010. The device was an instant hit, selling 50 million units through 2011.
pic10
Steve Jobs in March 2011
Struggling with the after effects of a 2009 liver transplant, Jobs resigned as Apple CEO on Aug. 24, 2011. He said in a statement: "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 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." He was replaced by Tim Cook as CEO.
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"There may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented," he says on the official White House blog.
President Barack Obama issued a statement Wednesday mourning the loss of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
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Via the White House's official blog, the president issued the following statement, calling Jobs one of the "greatest American innovators" and a "bold thinker."
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"Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs," Obama said in a statement. "Steve was among the greatest of American innovators -- brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it."
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"By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity," he continued. "By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.
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"The world has lost a visionary," Obama said. "And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him."
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Jobs died Wednesday of pancreatic cancer. He was 56.
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