tim cook

VC Roger McNamee slams Android's 'profitless prosperity'

When it comes to Apple's iOS versus Google's Android, there aren't many fence sitters. Roger McNamee, an investor who's been analyzing the output of Silicon Valley for 30 years, thinks Android is the "equivalent of having a motor scooter at the Indianapolis 500."

McNamee, who began his career by turning out big returns at T. Rowe Price Science and Technology Fund, and then started Silver Lake Partners, a private equity firm, and venture capital firm Elevation Partners, is troubled by what Google has done to encourage Android's "profitless prosperity."

"I … Read more

Tim Cook

For a job with more scrutiny than many in the public eye, look no further than Tim Cook, who replaced Steve Jobs as the chief executive at Apple last August.

On the plus side, Cook's first full year on the job was marked with prosperity. During Apple's fiscal year, the company sold more than 125 million iPhones, just over 58 million iPads, and raked in $41.66 billion in pure profit. Apple's stock also reached an all-time high, and the company pushed out a dividend to investors for the first time.

With that said, there are still … Read more

Parsing Apple's TV ambitions

Apple CEO Tim Cook thinks the TV viewing experience is lousy. "When I go into my living room and turn on the TV, I feel like I have gone backwards in time by 20 to 30 years," he told NBC's Brian Williams.

Read: Apple TV hinted at by CEO Tim Cook

Cook is consistently coy about how Apple will go about making TV a great user experience. "It's an area of intense interest. I can't say more than that," he said in the interview with Williams. Some, like Piper Jaffray senior research analyst … Read more

Has Apple gone soft? Tim Cook, say it ain't so

Hard is good, soft is bad.

This is surely the mantra that so many CEOs and politicians chant to an effigy of themselves last thing at night.

We hear the phrase "hard-nosed businessman" as a term of admiration. Just as we hear "gone soft" as a phrase meaning anything from rotting food to weak judgment to mental illness.

So when I read a Bloomberg Businessweek headline that whispered "Apple's softer side emerges under CEO Cook," I squeezed my eyes tighter in anticipation of a paean to wussiness.

What do we see of Apple'… Read more

Apple uses U.S.-made 'engine' for iPhone, iPad

Key chips for the iPhone and iPad are being made in the U.S. -- future U.S.-made Macs, as disclosed today, notwithstanding.

This year, CEO Tim Cook has been talking about U.S. manufacturing more than usual. Partly to counter Apple's largely make-it-in-China strategy but also because of U.S. manufacturing strengths.

The same essential points he made in a Bloomberg interview today he made back in May.

To wit: "It's not known well that the engine for the iPhone and iPad is made in the U.S., and many of these are also exported.... … Read more

Tim Cook preaches the new Apple gospel

When Tim Cook talks about Apple, he becomes rhapsodic. When asked by Bloomberg/Businessweek's Josh Tyrangiel in an interview this week whether he thought of himself as an "enormously responsible" person, Cook responded: 

I love the company. A significant part of my life is Apple. Maybe some people would say it's all of my life. I would say it's a significant part. And you know, I feel both a love for it [and] I feel a responsibility. I think this company is a jewel. I think it's the … Read more

T-Mobile to sell iPhone in 2013

Thursday's CNET Update completes the set:

T-Mobile USA Chief Executive John Legere confirmed that the carrier will be selling the iPhone next year. Expect T-Mobile to target AT&T and offer competitive pricing with new Value Plans.

Also in today's tech news roundup:

- Apple CEO Tim Cook said some Mac production will move to the U.S. in 2013. He also hinted that Apple is working on a new television concept.

- Google+ is adding Communities. These groups can be public or private for people with similar interests to start hangouts and plan events.

- Facebook … Read more

Apple Maps fiasco makes Mad's '20 Dumbest' list

Apple, already the world's most valuable company, has received yet another superlative... from Mad Magazine.

Uh-oh. This can't be good for Tim Cook and the Cupertino clan.

Indeed, get ready for some serious harshness from the wit-masters at Mad who earlier gave us the above hilarious mock New Yorker cover featuring the world as seen by Apple Maps.… Read more

Tim Cook: Steve Jobs told me to 'just do what's right'

Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Steve Jobs provided much-needed advice to him before he officially became chief executive.

Speaking to Bloomberg Businessweek in an interview published today, Cook said that Jobs called him one day and asked to speak with him about his plans for Apple's future. Jobs told him that he would recommend Cook as CEO and that he would serve as chairman. After Cook asked Jobs several times if he was sure about making that transition, Jobs told him to stop asking, and provided his reasoning for the decision.

Here's what Cook said about the … Read more