Steve Jobs' death was a huge blow for Apple and the tech world but an email from a Samsung boss two days after his death reveals his passing could be used as the "best opportunity to attack iPhone".
Before Jobs passed in October 2011, the former Apple CEO worked with the company's board to find a suitable replacement to take the reins and lead the company. Tim Cook was a natural choice as he had already stepped into Job's shoes as interim CEO in 2004 when Jobs underwent treatment for pancreatic cancer and again in 2009 as Jobs faced more health issues.
Many people wondered how Apple and Tim Cook would fare in the wake of losing the man that turned the tech world upside down on more than one occasion and introduced game-changing devices while staring death in the eye. Samsung apparently was also wondering how Jobs' death would affect the company and a newly released email writen by Michael Pennington; head of national sales for Samsung Telecommunications America, outlined how the company could use Jobs' death to its advantage.
"Unfortunately, Steve Job's [sic] passing has led to a huge wave of press coverage of Apple's and iPhone's 'superiority,' all created by the 'passionate, tireless, perfectionist...' The point here is that there is an unintended benefit for Apple, since the external messages by 3rd parties are all highlighting and/or supporting the consumer perception that Apple products are superior, since Jobs' [sic] was such a visionary and perfectionist. What consumer wouldn't feel great about purchasing a device developed by such a person. "
Pennington's email was revealed this week during Apple and Samsung's ongoing patent court battle. It's unclear if Samsung actually used any of Pennington's suggestions, but even he had some reservations on how this might be perceived later in the email.
"Sorry to continue to push this issue, but I have seen this far too long and I know this is our best opportunity to attack iPhone. If there is no consensus on the approach I initially proposed, I will stop pushing, but I would like to better understand our strategy so I can align with that."
Since the passing of Jobs Apple has continued to innovate as a company and under the leadership of Cook has become the world's most valuable company worth an estimated $457 billion.
