Wrong.

Watch the Jobs/Gates interview at '07 D5. He clearly stated he couldn't predict more than five years in this industry. Though, being able to see through five years ahead is quite a feat which he pulled often.

Can we stop this hero worship please. We're all adults here and while Steve Jobs was clearly a great leader of Apple, we don't need the constant Steve-was-god rhetoric.

I was pointing out perspective might be why decisions are made.

Perhaps you're internalizing and projecting too much.

I agree; there was nothing "hero worship"ey about your post, and you're being downvoted by knee-jerk reacton.

Do you know that for a fact? Never heard that before...

I would watch Steve's Stanford commencement speech if I were you. In it he talked about only being able to 'connecting the dots' in his life looking backwards not forwards. This idea that he planned his time at Apple is just revisionist delusion on your part.

That said there is nothing wrong with Apple thinking more short term.

And when I was working at Apple the very first thing Steve did upon coming back was giving away everything old on campus then said going forward was the only way to make Apple better.

To think a speech made to sell dreams to a group of idealistic and aspirational youths is relevant to what we're discussing right now is just plain inexperience on your part.

And that said, indeed there is nothing wrong with Apple thinking more short term. It's probably exactly why Tim Cook was chosen as CEO.