5 ways Apple is better (and worse) without Steve Jobs

It's a year since Steve Jobs passed, and debate continues to rage whether the company he co-founded is in better or worse shape than it was when he was still around.

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BETTER WITHOUT STEVE JOBS
Reason 1: Apple is more honest and open

Tim Cook’s response to the mapgate controversy – namely, a very public apology published on Apple’s web site – simply would never have happened under Jobs. As Apple continues to grow and deepen its role in global markets, his more transparent leadership style protects the company somewhat from critics who used to accuse it of being distant and disconnected.

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BETTER WITHOUT STEVE JOBS
Reason 2: Apple is more politically savvy

Cook has much more patience for political navigation than Jobs ever had. He met with congressional leaders in Washington in May, ending a years-long silence on that front. No major decisions came out of the meetings, but they sent a message that Apple could be ready to follow Google’s lead in becoming more open to lobbying and political discourse.

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WORSE WITHOUT STEVE JOBS
Reason 4: Apple’s Chinese factory conditions remain grim

A Fair Labor Association audit of conditions at Foxconn, a key Apple supplier, uncovered evidence of dangerous working conditions and excessive overtime. Apple has pledged to work with Foxconn to resolve any outstanding issues, but a recent riot that led to the shutdown of the entire facility suggests there’s a long way to go.

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