Today in Tech: Steve Jobs wanted Android destroyed
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“You’re headed for a one-term presidency.”
— Steve Jobs to Barack Obama (The Huffington Post)
“I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product … I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.”
— Jobs on Google Android (Bloomberg)
* A few tidbits leaked in advance of Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs:
- Jobs felt what Google had done with its successful Android operating system amounted to “grand theft,” and he would “spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong.” (AP)
- Though he was critical of the administration’s policies, the former Apple CEO reportedly offered to design political ads for President Obama’s 2012 campaign. (The Huffington Post)
- Jobs also apparently put off a surgical operation for nine months, one that could have saved his life if it had been performed earlier. (The Huffington Post)
* A new look for Gmail, somewhat reminiscent of the “Preview” theme that’s currently available, got out early thanks to a video on Google’s YouTube channel. Here’s a peek at what users can expect. (Google Operating System)
* HP (HPQ) executive VP and chief strategy and technology officer Shane Robison is retiring and stepping down from his post on Nov. 1. (TechCrunch)
* Microsoft (MSFT) reported first quarter 2012 earnings, with a 7% climb in sales to $17.4 billion and net income of $5.7 billion. (TechCrunch)
* Is 2013 the year for the “Xbox Next“? That’s what sources are telling one outlet. If true, the upcoming console could be unveiled at E3 2013, just months before release. (Develop)
* Cisco (CSCO) is buying startup BNI Video in a deal worth $99 million. (GigaOm)
* Digital textbook startup Inkling, founded by eight-year Apple veteran Matt MacInnis, announced what may be its most significant book release in some ways: a mainstream cookbook. The Professional Chef from The Culinary Institute of America will include multimedia-rich how-to recipes with exclusive videos that reportedly cost more than $100,000 to produce.
* Silicon Valley’s new hiring strategy: don’t bother with a PhD. Get a self-taught kid instead. (Fast Company)
* A video demo of UberMedia’s Chime.in social platform, revealed earlier this week, and as also reported by Fortune. (TechCrunch)
* Does your phone know more about you now than your mom? (Answer: Yep, probably.) (Ad Age)
* The first iPhone 4S TV ad featuring Siri. (9 to 5 Mac)
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