Jobs Exit Might Open Some Doors, But When?

Few, if any observers seem to believe Apple's market success will change soon, just because Steve Jobs has stepped away from his CEO role. There are some who think Apple will start to be more vulnerable at some point, though.

"What this will do is clearly embolden the competitors, because a lot of them think they just can't compete with Steve Jobs," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group, whose clients include Apple rivals such as Microsoft, Lenovo and Dell.

Some think Apple should start making changes, though. "Now that Jobs has stepped down, however, Apple has a great opportunity," argues PC World. "Rather than maintain its completely closed and locked-down approach to the technologies it makes, the time is right for Apple to open up." Apple needs to "open up?"

That seems to fly in the face of moves by many of Apple's competitors in the other direction, of copying Apple's tight integration of hardware and software. Some say Google's purchase of Motorola is a step in that direction.

"It's all about if Apple at some point makes a significantly bad decision," said Georges Nahon, the CEO at Orange Labs, a division of France Telecom SA. Jobs exit opens door Apple rivals

Some might say any move by Apple to "open up" would count as such a bad decision.