February 22nd, 2007
Apple's Jobs a hypnotizer? More like a hypocrite.
So, the ink is long dry and the newspaper holding the headline that Cisco and Apple found some common ground over the iPhone trademark is already in the recycling bin. Today however, ComputerWorld has an analysis saying that Cisco got the short end of the stick.
…the arrangement's details remain confidential….
…"The rule in Silicon Valley is that if Apple leaves the table smiling, the other guy got screwed," said Rob Enderle, an independent analyst and principal of the Enderle Group. "And Apple left the table smiling on this one."
Roger Kay, of Endpoint Technologies Associates, agreed. "It certainly looks like Cisco gave away the store."…
…"Apple clearly got the better deal," Kay said. "Steve's [Jobs] ability to hypnotize people is legendary. He's like the Rasputin of the computer industry."
Jobs a hypnotizer? I wouldn't be so sure about Cisco getting the short end of the stick. Cisco didn't get to be the titan that it is without playing some shrewd hardball itself. Also, I'm a believer in hypnotism. Just not by Steve Jobs. Let's not forget the small bit of hypocrisy exhibited by our modern day Mr. Rasputin. On the one hand, his company will stop at nothing to protect it's own trademarks by threatening small mom and pop businesses for their unrelated usage of the term "pod" which isn't even an Apple trademark. On the other, when it's convenient to do so (despite the owners' wishes), the company has no compuction about trampling the trademark rights of others. Cisco is one case in point (now settled). Apple Corps. Ltd. the other. Jobs is doing wonders for Apple's shareholders. But is it any way to do business?
