Steve Jobs Scores Big On iPad Release

Headlines from every major news organization carried the story of Apple, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs revealing the iPad today.

We all knew something up his proverbial sleeve, but I am not sure anyone could have imagined the iPad — an iPhone-like tablet computer that is so hip and cool that it is sure to make any laptop pale in comparison. And the pricing structure for this device is tiered according to how much power and storage you need, thus rendering it much more affordable to the general public.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that Steve Jobs has been my hero ever since the invention of the MacIntosh computer. I have owned many of Apple’s computers, or screamed until my employers provided me with one, yet much to my chagrin I have never owned stock in the company.

I’ve never met Steve Jobs, but I would like to follow him around Apple headquarters for about six months and just soak up some of his creative genius.

Every year someone takes a poll and asks who is the best CEO in American and I always vote for Steve Jobs. Why? It’s simple. Like his brusque manner and potty mouth or not, he is, in my opinion, the reigning king of reinvention and innovation.

We all know the secret to longevity in any business is innovation and reinvention. Yet achieving it is another story. You have to be willing to actually listen to your customers, and you have to release products that suit the needs of your customers and maintain the integrity of your brand. Achieving this is an art unto itself. And, that is why I consider Steve Jobs is the Leonardo Da Vinci of the pack.

While many other companies dither around with hardware and software that tarnishes their reputations and drives away customers, Apple continually expands its cache of products and attracts new customers of all ages. And, the company never forgets the first and most crucial lesson of marketing — you must continually be reinvesting in your core product.

Even if you don’t agree with my unabashed iconic view of Steve Jobs, you can’t argue with the numbers. The numbers prove that Apple is on the right course. The 52-week range on their share price is $82.33 – $215.59. At market close, the unadjusted price for a share of Apple was approximately $207.00.

Today’s reveal of the iPad today proves that Apple will continue to be the company that all the other technocrats chase, but Steve Jobs will continue to be the frontrunner in the race.