No Jobs keynote for Apple's last hurrah at Macworld

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 17 December 2008 07:48

Opinion and Analysis

But scratching an appearance on three weeks notice is not going to reassure anyone harbouring concerns about Jobs' health.

Even though Jobs was never publicly scheduled to give the keynote, the expectation was there.

It wouldn't be quite such a big deal for most companies, but a number of analysts and more than a few investors are of the opinion that Jobs is central to Apple's ongoing success.

At least part of that concern comes from the view that Apple's worst years were those between Jobs' effective removal from the company's management team by then CEO John Sculley (who was a Jobs appointee) and his return in 1997. Others feel that Apple was already on a downward trend and Sculley's actions helped keep the company in business.

Another concern is that the company has not revealed its succession plans. Earlier this year, Jobs said "We've got great talent, and I think the board would have a few really good choices [for my successor]."

He suggested COO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer were among the possible candidates, and some regard Schiller as a contender.

Following the Macworld Expo announcement, Apple shares fell $US2.49 to $US92.94 in after-hours trading, a drop of 2.49 percent.