Jobs actually does some design for the Apple Store's architectural features.

Here's a design patent for the glass staircase, listing Jobs as lead designer: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sec...

Amusing if true: the glass cube outside the Manhattan Apple Store was designed by Steve Jobs himself, and the lease stipulates that it is his personal property and he has the right to remove it at the end of the lease: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/05/12/05/jobs_wants_32_...

(If I ever had the balls to ask Steve Jobs a completely inane question, I would ask what the hell it was with him and cubes.)

Jobs loves symmetry. Look at his choices in design for mice: symmetrical even to the point of being harder to use.

Spheres are more symmetrical than cubes though. Cubes are symmetrical about a high but still finite number of planes--spheres are symmetrical about an infinite number of planes. But I guess it's harder to get a sphere to sit still on your desk, or to fit computer guts into it.

The hockey puck mouse exhibited radial symmetry

The rumor is that Jonathan Ive is being groomed to take over AAPL when Jobs leaves.

I can't think of a more worthy successor. Brilliant, if true.

The power multiplier that Jobs brings to the company comes from two things: his uncompromising sense of good taste and his idealism for the role of technology in our lives.

The things that Jonathan Ive builds are reflections of his own deep commitment to those values. He gets it.

Interesting, I had definitely not heard that. The name that I thought was passed around regularly was Tim Cook.

I'd have to think that letting the design guy worry about design would probably be the better route, rather than clouding with all of the other business decisions and realities in a major way

If they want to keep the template Jobs has established, they need a person who can drive products (both tech/design sides) and say no in a manner that leaves little doubt.

The exciting part is that there are so many _potential_ worthy successors even when Jobs leaves. The same can't be said of many companies with rockstar CEOs.

Steve Jobs's eye for talent is just as keen as his eye for design. It's an absolutely critical skill and has been an essential component of Apple's success. It's also a skill that too often goes unappreciated. Unlike most rockstar CEOs, he doesn't surround himself with people he can dominate and control.

Indeed, the story of Jony Ive reflects this: toiling in relative obscurity before Jobs' return, Steve immediately recognizes his talent and promotes him aggressively.

They better keep Tim Cook and make sure his successor is ready to go.