Steve Jobs in Exile – New book on his years at NeXT Computer

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

NeXT’s Influence on Apple and Computing

  • Many commenters argue NeXT is far from “forgotten”: its OS and tools heavily shaped Mac OS X/macOS (e.g., NS-prefixed APIs, BSD command line, NeXTSTEP UI ideas).
  • NeXTSTEP/OpenStep were important in 3D/graphics in the 90s and used at Pixar and in early web and game history (Doom/Quake, first web browser/server).
  • Some wish the NeXT and classic Mac lines had continued separately; others say NeXT would have died and classic Mac would have needed any modern kernel anyway.

Success, Failure, and Business Outcomes

  • NeXT is described as both a financial/operational mess and a long‑term success because its tech, people, and WebObjects effectively saved Apple.
  • Question raised whether NeXT investors did well; unclear from thread.
  • Comparison to BeOS: several think an Apple–BeOS path would likely have failed or led to acquisition by another company.

Jobs’ Evolution and Management

  • NeXT years are seen as crucial in reshaping Jobs’ leadership, giving him space to learn from failure and constraint.
  • Some books and accounts paint NeXT as a disaster and Jobs as a poor manager; others say that underscores how hard startups are and how learning from setbacks matters.
  • Debate over whether biographies are “hit pieces” or necessary corrections to the Jobs distortion field.

Apple’s Near‑Collapse and Turnaround

  • Disagreement on how close Apple was to “days away” vs. “months away” from bankruptcy in the 90s, but consensus that the situation was dire.
  • Microsoft’s investment is framed both as antitrust-motivated lifeline and as over‑credited in later Apple mythology.
  • Jobs’ product focus (iMac/iBook, simplified lineup) and Tim Cook’s supply-chain mastery are both cited as central to the turnaround.

Technical and Design Legacies

  • NeXT is praised for advanced APIs, Interface Builder, Display PostScript, WebObjects, and influential apps (e.g., Improv, Virtuoso).
  • Discussion of NeXT morphing from workstation maker into an enterprise software/tools company before Apple acquisition.
  • Projects like GNUstep, Window Maker, and NEXTSPACE aim to recreate NeXTSTEP’s look/feel on modern systems.

Apple’s Current Direction and Products

  • Some see modern Apple as “post‑NeXT” after key people left, with software now less “cutting edge” despite world‑class hardware (Apple Silicon, MacBooks, AirPods).
  • Vision Pro is criticized as powerful hardware with conservative, iOS‑style software and missed opportunities for truly spatial, developer‑centric computing.
  • Magic Mouse and other Apple pointing devices draw ergonomic complaints; many users replace them with third‑party mice or trackpads.

Jobs, Musk, and Legacy Debates

  • Comparisons to Elon Musk focus mainly on mass firings, but many argue their goals, ethics, and outcomes differ sharply.
  • Some contend Jobs is now underrated, reduced to “asshole genius” clichés; others emphasize his exceptional taste, ability to recruit top talent, and cultural impact.
  • Claims that early Apple (“version one”) or the original Macintosh “weren’t commercial successes” are disputed as historically inaccurate within the thread.