Somebody Needs To Remind Walter Isaacson That Steve Jobs Is Dead

It has been six months since Apple’s former CEO, Steve Jobs died. Since then, the Apple co-founder’s words (or purported opinions) have never been far from the world’s news-sheets. The reason? Jobs’ official biographer, Walter Isaacson, can’t stop talking about his deceased client, for good or bad.

What would Steve think? Let’s ask Walter

Google’s Larry Page said last week that Jobs was never really that upset about the emergence of his company’s Android platform, as most of the tech world believed. There was Isaacson, speaking for Jobs again, saying Page's comments weren't correct. According to Isaacson, Jobs said: “Google rips (iOS) off.” When rumors grew this winter that Apple would release a real television, Isaacson was there again, “confirming” an "iPanel" would eventually arrive. In doing so, the former Time editor stated that he had left out quite a bit about the rumored “iTV” in the biography, which was first released weeks after Jobs passed away on October 5. About the issue, Isaacson said he “held back” key information about the television and future Apple products, to protect both his client and Apple. Finally, as if he planned on keeping the Jobs story all to himself, Isaacson said his biography was only "the first or second draft. It’s not the final draft.” In other words, the official biographer would have more to say about the Apple chief in the future.

This is starting to get creepy

People need to stop asking Walter Isaacson stuff about Steve Jobs. — Shawn Wilkins (@hotcereal) April 6, 2012

While I understand that Steve Jobs will forever be remembered for the products he helped bring to market and for the lives he touched, isn’t it about time we moved on? After all, isn’t that what Apple has done under the very capable Tim Cook? Unlike many here at AppAdvice, I actually liked Isaacson’s take on Steve Jobs. In fact, I consider “Steve Jobs” one of the best biographies ever published. Still, what Isaacson has done since Jobs’ death is starting to lean towards the creepy. While I understand and respect Isaacson’s decision to leave out key Jobs’ quotes, as they relate to possible future Apple products, the rest is unwarranted. Could it be that along with defending Jobs’ legacy, Isaacson has figured out that being the official biographer for Apple's late co-founder is also extremely profitable? Isaacson has already made millions on the bestseller and this is even before the book becomes available in paperback. In addition, Sony’s upcoming Jobs’ biopic (not the one starring Ashton Kutcher) will also make Isaacson a small fortune, since his text is what will eventually come alive on the big screen. There is a huge difference between being an official biographer and an official spokesman. Isaacson did just fine being the former, but when did he become the latter? Walter Isaacson has already told Steve Jobs’ story once and he doesn’t need to do it again. Is Walter Isaacson using Steve Jobs to stay in the spotlight?

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