Who will be better remembered: Gates or Jobs?
Though they both had billions of dollars, there was one particular thing that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had that Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates still really wishes he had. Though for many of us the easy answer would be Jobs’ last masterpiece, a 257-foot yacht designed by Philippe Starck, Gates had a much more thoughtful and less materialistic answer.
Speaking during an interview with CBS’ “60 minutes,” Gates revealed the answer.
“Oh, his sense of design. That everything had to fit a certain aesthetic. The fact that he, with as little engineering background as he had, it shows that design can lead you in a good direction…and so, phenomenal products came out,” said Gates.
Gates also described the last conversation he had with the Apple founder when he visited him shortly before his death.
“He showed me the boat he was working on,” said Gates, showing some emotion on his face as he recalled his March meeting with the Apple genius. “And talked about how he’s looking forward to being on it, even though we both knew there was a good chance that wouldn’t happen.”
In October 2011, Jobs died at 56 years old from pancreatic cancer. Jobs co-founded Apple Computer in 1976 with his childhood friend Steve Wozniak. He and Wozniak created the world’s first successful PC, the Apple II.
Even within a year of Jobs’ death, the rivalry between Gates and Jobs was still active. In fact, Gates was a big-time critic of the new iPad, saying that it never made him think, “Oh, I wish Microsoft had done it.”
Though Gates and Jobs had an intense rivalry during their respective careers, Gates told Rose that he and Jobs “grew up together.” He said they were both “naively optimistic” and spearheaded “big companies.” Despite their rivalry, he said that they always had a “certain respect and communication” to include Jobs’ dying days.
In the end, however, the question always comes down to: Who will be remember best? While Jobs created some of the most memorable products of the last several decades, Gates has shared his money with people in need all around the world.
Who will be better remembered: Gates or Jobs? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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