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The article reports the death of Steven P. Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. Commentary is presented on his career at Apple, his reputation as a visionary who transformed the worlds of technology, music, and retailing, health problems prior to his death, and questions his passing raises about the future of Apple.

The article discusses a trend among companies to omit using articles such as "the" and "an" when referring to their products. Advertising from consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. has referred to the company's tablet computer as simply "iPad," while chief executive Jeff Bezos of online bookseller Amazon.com has done similarly when discussing his firm's Kindle electronic book reader. Branding executive Allen Adamson says products seem more iconic without an article.

The article discusses the accomplishments of Steve Jobs during his tenure as chief executive officer (CEO) of consumer-electronics producer Apple Inc., as well as challenges facing his successor, Tim Cook. Under Jobs' leadership Apple introduced products that disrupted the markets for digital music players and smartphones. Digital video is one of several Apple initiatives that Cook will oversee.

The article reports that Steve Jobs has stepped down from his role as chief executive officer (CEO) of consumer-electronics producer Apple Inc. Jobs will remain with the company as chairman, and will be replaced as CEO by chief operating officer Tim Cook. At the time of his resignation Jobs was on his third medical leave from Apple since 1997.

The article reports that two independent directors of consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. informally discussed executive succession at Apple after being approached by an executive recruiter. Over a two-year period Apple chief executive Steve Jobs has twice gone on medical leave. Apple's board is said to consider chief operating officer Tim Cook a strong candidate to eventually replace Jobs.

The article discusses consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc.'s ambitions for China. Apple is negotiating to make its iPhone smartphone available to users of China's largest wireless provider, China Mobile Ltd. Apple's sales growth in China is faster than for any other region, and its four retails stores there have much higher traffic than any in the U.S.

The article reports that electronic retailer Amazon.com Inc. will introduce a tablet computer by October 2011, a move that will create a competitor to the iPad tablet device from Apple Inc. Amazon's computer will run the Android operating system from Google Inc. In addition, Amazon is expected to release two updated editions of its Kindle electronic-book reader during the third quarter of 2011.

The article discusses the retailing operations of consumer-electronics producer Apple Inc. Employees at Apple stores are taught to focus on customer needs rather than salesmanship. Some Apple stores receive an abundance of applications for employment, and the hiring process can be a competitive one. Apple chief executive Steve Jobs pays close attention to various details of his stores.

The article reports that consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. has eased terms under which publishers who have applications that run on Apple's smartphones and tablet computers can sell subscriptions for those devices. Apple will no longer require that such subscriptions be sold at the best available price, and that they be purchased from within the applications themselves.

The article reports that consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. introduced a new service called iTunes Match that will let consumers store their music collections on Apple's remote computers and access them using any device manufactured by Apple including iPad tablet computers and iPod digital music players. Chief executive Steve Jobs returned from a medical leave to make the announcement.

The article reports that consumer electronics maker Apple Inc. is preparing to unveil a cloud-computing service that will store music online and let customers listen to their purchased songs from the Internet without downloading. Apple has struck agreements with several major music companies including Warner Music Group Corp. and Sony Music Entertainment.

The article examines the marketing of the sound recording "Born This Way," by popular musician Lady Gaga, in digital form by the companies Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. The lower prices charged by Amazon.com for downloads of the recording are considered as part of the company's effort to enter a digital music market dominated by Apple's iTunes service.

The article reports commentary from Apple Inc. chief executive Steve Jobs in response to reports that Apple's iPhone smartphone compiles data about a user's location and transmits it to Apple. Jobs said some data must be collected to support the device's Global Positioning services, but that a software error resulted in excessive data capture. He said Apple would fix the error.

The article discusses a policy announced by consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. governing the sale of subscriptions to electronic publications for its iPhone smartphone and iPad tablet computer. Publishers may sell subscriptions from their own Web sites, but may not include links to their sites from within applications that run on the iPhone and iPad. Some critics say this and other restrictions are too favorable to Apple.

The article reports that consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. is preparing an edition of its iPhone smartphone that is around half the size of existing models and will sell for about half the price to cell-phone service providers. Apple is also said to be considering an overhaul of its MobileMe online storage service that would eliminate the $99 annual subscription fee.

The article discusses the management of Apple Inc. amid chief executive Steve Jobs' medical leave. Jobs is said to be working at home and staying involved in the company's strategic decision-making. Chief operating officer Tim Cook is filling in for Jobs', and the day-to-day routine at Apple is said to be essentially unchanged.

The article discusses changes announced by consumer-electronics manufacturer Apple Inc. in how it will handle sales of digital content such as magazines from its iTunes online store. Apple will require that publishers' applications that run on Apple's iPhone smartphones and iPad tablet computers purchase content directly from the iTunes Web site.

The article reports that Steve Jobs, chief executive officer (CEO) of consumer-electronics producer Apple Inc., will take a medical leave of absence of unspecified duration. Jobs has previously taken leaves in 2004 to have a tumor removed and 2009 for a liver transplant. Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook will assume many of Jobs' responsibilities during his absence.

The article discusses the preparedness of telecommunication firm Verizon Wireless to handle wireless traffic generated by users of Apple Inc.'s iPhone smartphone, a device Verizon is expected to begin supporting soon. Verizon has built up its wireless capacity and reportedly will offer unlimited-data plans to iPhone users.

The article reports that wireless provider Verizon Wireless will announce it will soon begin supporting the iPhone smartphone from Apple Inc. Since its inception in 2007 the iPhone has worked exclusively on the wireless network of Verizon rival AT&T Inc. Apple is bringing the iPhone to Verizon at a time when smartphones running the Android operating system from Google Inc. have been growing in popularity.

The article discusses people who carry multiple consumer-electronic devices about their persons. Phil Libin of San Francisco, California lugs around a backpack containing over 26 pounds of gear including a notebook computer, a tablet computer, two smartphones, and other devices. Venture capitalist Gilman Louie has a smartphone for each major phone network.

The article reports that consumer-electronics firm Apple Inc. will ease up on restrictions it had placed on developers who create applications (apps) for its iPhone smartphones and iPad tablet computers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has been looking into whether Apple's policies regarding app development are in violation of antitrust laws.

The article discusses consumer-electronics firm Apple Inc.'s efforts to expand its business of providing television shows and movies to consumers via the Internet. Apple chief executive Steven Jobs unveiled a device that will make it possible for users to rent television shows for $0.99 apiece. Fox, ABC, and NBC are among the television networks from which programs will be available.

The article discusses household-electronics maker Apple Inc.'s "iAd" mobile advertising service. Several companies have been slow to introduce advertisements for the service due to Apple's firm control over certain aspects of the advertisement-creation process. Patrick Moorhead of advertising agency Interpublic Group of Cos. says Apple's involvement represents an issue for some agencies.

The article discusses reaction from shareholders and customers to the abrupt resignation of chief executive officer Mark Hurd from technology firm Hewlett-Packard Co. Shares of the company fell 8% on the first day of trading that followed the announcement. Information officer Gerry McCartney of Purdue University was among those who said their organizations would continue to patronize Hewlett. Some criticized Hurd's severance package, valued at over $35 million.

The article reports that the periodical "Consumer Reports" alleges a hardware defect is the cause of reception problems related to the iPhone 4 smartphone made by consumer-electronics firm Apple Inc. Apple has previously attributed such difficulties to faulty software. Tests by Consumer Reports indicated that reception could be diminished by touching a certain part of the device.

The article reports that Apple Inc. is installing new computer security measures in its iTunes music and application software downloading store following a security breach of customer accounts by a software developer. Apple customers have increasingly complained of computer hacking and other crimes linked to their use of the iTunes service.

The article reports that high technology industry firm Apple Inc. informed consumers that its iPhone smartphones contain a manufacturer's defect which mistakenly overestimates the strength of the devices' cellular signals. Apple was responding to widespread consumer complaints about the iPhone 4 version of the device introduced in June, 2010.

This article discusses the dilemma facing owners of the iPad, Apple's multimedia tablet. The larger size of the iPad has caused owners to make difficult decisions about how best to carry the device. One owner has bought a vest designed to carry the iPad, while others prefer backpacks. The size problem has created opportunities for enterprises creating various carrying apparel.

The article reports that Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) has agreed to purchase Palm Inc. in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion. Once a strong competitor in the market for smartphones, Palm has generated losses as its products have lagged behind those of Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd. Palm is the latest in a series of acquisitions made under HP chief executive Mark Hurd.

The article reports that Apple Inc. will delay by one month the introduction of its iPad tablet computing device in foreign markets. Apple cited unusually strong demand for iPads in the U.S. as prompting the decision. Over 500,000 iPads where sold in the U.S. during its first week of availability in April, 2010.

The article reports that Palm Inc. is exploring options that could include a sale of the company. Palm's market capitalization has fallen over 50% within the past year as its smartphones have struggled in the marketplace against competing devices from Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd. Palm chief executive Jon Rubinstein has said his firm would consider any reasonable buyout offers.

The article discusses sales of Apple Inc.'s iPad tablet computing device. Apple reports it sold over 300,000 iPads on the first day it became available for sale. Although analysts had been predicting average sales of between 400,000 and 500,000 units, Apple is said to be pleased with the results. During that first day customers downloaded over 100,000 electronic books for the iPad.

This article reports that the debut of Apple Inc.'s iPad on April 3, 2010 is expected to increase electronic book sales, but it might also be reliant on some of its competitors, such as Amazon.com, to supply users with the books. The iPad won't come with the electronic book-reading application pre-installed, but buyers will be able to install it on April 3. iPad users will also be able to install a free application for Amazon's Kindle.

The article reports that the death of Jerome York in the second week of March 2010 has left a void in the number of independent voices on the board of directors for Apple Inc. There have been no announcements about a replacement for York. York was a member of the important audit committee and his independent voice will be missed as chief executive officer Steve Jobs exerts more control over board members.

The article reports that Apple Inc. is still negotiating with media firms to secure digital content for its iPad tablet computing device scheduled to go on sale in April, 2010. Apple wants to be able to allow users to download episodes of television shows for $0.99 apiece. The iPad's lack of support for Flash technology from Adobe Systems Inc. has caused concerns for some publishers.

The article reports that Sony Corp. is developing several portable electronic products including a smartphone onto which video games can be downloaded, and a device that combines certain features of electronic book readers and netbook computers. Sony is said to be positioning its products to compete against similar offerings from Apple Inc.

The article reports that various companies have begun designing accessories for the iPad tablet computing device to be sold by Apple Inc. beginning in March, 2010. Griffin Technology and SDI Technologies Inc. are among firms preparing to sell various items. However, Jonathan vonRentzell of Blue Microphones Inc. says his company will wait to see how large the market is before acting.

The article discusses tension between Apple Inc. and Adobe Systems Inc. Apple refuses to support Adobe's Flash video technology on its recently-announced tablet computing device. Nor does Apple's iPhone smartphone support a version of Flash adopted by most other smartphone manufacturers. Apple chief executive Steve Jobs has complained of bugs in the Flash software.

The article reports that several publishers including McGraw-Hill Cos., Kaplan Inc., and Pearson Education have entered into deals with ScrollMotion Inc. aimed at helping them adapt their textbooks to digital book readers. A tablet computer introduced by Apple Inc. is among devices that could prove popular in the classroom.

The article discusses a tablet computing device from Apple Inc. that was introduced by chief executive Steve Jobs at an auditorium in San Francisco, California. Apple's new "iPad" seeks to establish a new category of product positioned somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop. Its capacity to display electronic books puts it in competition with the Kindle electronic book reader from Amazon.com.

The article discusses a quarterly earnings report from Apple Inc. Net income grew 50%, aided in part by a change in accounting methods that accelerated recognition of revenue from sales of the firm's iPhone smartphones. Chief executive Steve Jobs expressed excitement over a new, unspecified product Apple planned to unveil soon.

The article discusses ambitions Apple Inc. has for a tablet device it will introduce in January, 2010. Chief executive Steve Jobs hopes it will be a popular platform for books, magazines, and newspapers, as well as for textbooks in the classroom. In addition, Apple is negotiating with television networks including Walt Disney Co. to enable the sale of television-program subscriptions for the device.

The article discusses developments at Palm Inc. In addition to releasing updated versions of two smarthphones, Palm has also entered into partnerships with Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. Amid fierce competition in the smartphone industry Palm saw its market share decline to 10.8% in the third quarter of 2009.

The article discusses the popularity of Blu-ray players during the 2009 holiday shopping season. Declining prices and Internet functionality have helped propel sales of the devices. According to NPD Group Inc. sales of Blu-ray players during Thanksgiving week were up over 50%. Samsung Electronics Co. and Sony Corp. are among firms that offer Blu-ray machines for around $130 or less.

The article discusses plans by Apple Inc. to sell subscriptions to television shows delivered over the Internet. CBS Corp. and Walt Disney Co. are among firms that may make their content available. Apple, whose offering would compete with those from firms such as Comcast Corp. and DirecTV Inc., plans to roll out the service in 2010.

The article discusses software for smartphones that helps shoppers find the best prices on various products. An application for the Droid smarphone can scan an item's bar code and report which retailer is selling it cheapest. Similar programs are available for smartphones from Apple Inc., Research in Motion Ltd., and other manufacturers.

The article examines increased competition between high technology industry companies Apple Inc. and Google Inc. The companies previously had focused on different areas of high technology, but have begun to offer competing products and services in fields such as smartphones, Internet advertising, and music downloading.

The article reports that Apple Inc. is considering an overhaul of how it sells music over the Internet. Currently users download their purchases from the firm's iTunes Web site. However, Apple has acquired La La Media Inc., whose technology lets consumers listen to streams of music they have purchased from any device that's connected to the Internet.

The article discusses features incorporated into video games that make possible more competitive matches between persons of different abilities. Nintendo has introduced a multi-player mode to its "New Super Mario Brothers" game that requires cooperation among team members. Players who die too frequently in Activision's "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" receive extra powers to help mitigate that unfortunate state of affairs.