You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.Steve beautifully explained about their friendship at D5 conference.
Steve and Bill always had a love-hate relationship. They both partnered when Steve was looking for someone to create apps on Mac. Bill and his team saw some of the initial prototypes of Mac—which eventually inspired him to go ahead and build Windows.
Steve despised Bill Gates for copying the Graphical Interface of Mac(which in fact was inspired by the Xerox). Let’s just say Steve at that time was not so kind. And he turned his passion from creating beautiful products into hatred towards Bill Gates.
When Steve confronted Bill about the copying,
"You're ripping us off!", Steve shouted, raising his voice even higher.
"I trusted you, and now you're stealing from us!"
But Bill Gates just stood there coolly, looking Steve directly in the eye, before starting to speak in his squeaky voice.
"Well, Steve, I think there's more than one way of looking at it. I think it's more like we both had this rich neighbor named Xerox and I broke into his house to steal the TV set and found out that you had already stolen it."
Steve left Apple but he still couldn’t let it go. He never minced his words whenever he talked about Microsoft/Bill Gates.
"The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste; they have absolutely no taste...I guess I am saddened, not by Microsoft's success – I have no problem with their success, they've earned their success for the most part. I have a problem with the fact that they just make really third rate products."
When asked about what he thinks about Bill Gates…
"If you say, well, how do you feel about Bill Gates getting rich off some of the ideas that we had ... well, you know, the goal is not to be the richest man in the cemetery. It's not my goal anyway."
Ironically, Bill never wanted to be the wealthiest man in the cemetery. We all know that now.
After Steve came back to Apple, he was more matured and he was ready to move on from all the distractions(lawsuit against Microsoft). And he was prepared to let things go.
To everyone’s surprise, Apple partnered with Microsoft and dropped the lawsuit. In my opinion, that is THE turning point for Apple. Finally, Steve turned a page and started looking ahead for Apple’s future.
He unshackled Apple from the lawsuit and all the Microsoft hate.
To everyone’s surprise, Apple partnered with Microsoft and dropped the lawsuit. In my opinion, that is THE turning point for Apple. Finally, Steve turned a page and started looking ahead for Apple’s future.
He unshackled Apple from the lawsuit and all the Microsoft hate.
Steve appreciated Bill’s gesture to leave all the past behind and finally agreeing to make MS Office available on Mac.
Since then, Steve continued his friendship with Bill. Steve finally acknowledged the significant role of Microsoft in the desktop revolution. Steve credited Bill first to realize that it’s all about software.
And without Bill the desktops wouldn’t be as cheap as they are now. The less expensive windows desktops are THE reason why computers became part of our lives.
In the end, Steve realized Bill was one of the few people in the world who could relate to his struggles, experiences.
Also, Steve’s terminal illness created a sense of urgency, and he could see things clearly without all the surrounding drama.
Can you believe it? The guy who despised Bill Gates for blatantly copying Mac—eventually invited Bill while he was on his deathbed. That itself speaks volumes about what Steve thinks of Bill.
Hats off to these two guys.
Their fight triggered a whole new revolution in the desktops.
Their friendship triggered another whole new revolution in Mobile computing. (Microsoft is a little bit responsible for Apple’s success in the mobile products. Only after Microsoft and Apple patched things up, Apple could move on and start focusing on what they do the best).
Their legacy leaves us all with a solid foundation to revolutionize many more industries.
Oh…one more thing.
Bill about Steve in his own words…
Bill about Steve in his own words…
"Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors, and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."
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