Steve Jobs: The Biography is a biography of Steve Jobs written by Walter Isaacson with Jobs' authorization. As an Apple user, I didn't know much about Steve Jobs before reading this book. After finishing it, I not only learned about many of his personal experiences but also gained a deeper understanding of the history of the computer industry.
For various reasons, my first Apple product was the iPad, followed by a Mac Pro laptop. Compared to my previous Windows experience, it did take some time to adjust, but once accustomed, I could appreciate how many excellent design choices enhance the user experience. After that, I started using the iPhone 6 Plus and never looked back, continuing with the iPhone series ever since. Influenced by Apple's ecosystem, I've since adopted AirPods, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and more. The only Apple products I haven't tried yet are the Apple Vision Pro and HomePod—though these likely bear little connection to Steve Jobs.
Deeply influenced by Zen philosophy, Steve Jobs pursued “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” He prioritized product design above functionality at times. Poor user experience, he believed, could undermine even the most feature-rich product. Possessing an intuitive aesthetic sense for design, he often proposed seemingly impossible requirements, placing immense pressure on collaborators and straining relationships with many. His exacting standards for products translated to equally high expectations for others. He sought to work with top-tier talent to create first-class products, intolerant of pairing his creations with mediocre offerings. This led him to envision a closed system where he controlled the entire ecosystem—from hardware and software to the entire ecosystem.
The choice between openness and closed systems represents a pivotal decision in the computer industry's evolution. Long-term, openness attracts more innovators and accelerates industry progress. However, compatibility concerns can lower the average quality of products, and in the short term, it often results in a mixed bag of offerings. Personally, I favor openness. Competition weeds out inferior products while fostering high-quality ones. A closed system managed by someone like Steve Jobs, who pursued perfection, would inevitably produce products of higher quality than the average open system. However, without a leader driven by excellence, a closed system risks stagnation due to the absence of competition.
Beyond his extraordinary design intuition, Steve Jobs possessed immense influence. Despite strained relationships with many, he adeptly employed various methods to gain acceptance for his ideas while skillfully incorporating valuable insights from others. I consider the App Store Apple's most pivotal product. By establishing rules enabling developers to create diverse applications within Apple's ecosystem, it generates revenue exponentially greater than Apple developing products alone. While the App Store's review mechanisms and high commission rates frustrate many developers, this model currently sustains Apple's ecosystem. In contrast, Android's ecosystem merely imitates without significant innovation. To surpass Apple, someone will need a truly disruptive vision.
This book offers rich content: those who enjoy gossip can explore Steve Jobs' personal life; business strategy enthusiasts can examine his rivalries and collaborations with companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Disney; and those seeking inspiration can witness his triumphant return. For most ordinary people, Steve Jobs truly changed our world—though he cared little about our needs, he simply pursued his own dreams.