Netgear CEO Patrick Lo has apologized for suggesting that Apple CEO Steve Jobs needs to “go away” in order for Apple to introduce more open standards in their devices.
Gizmodo Australia quoted Lo as saying:
“It’s critical for Apple to make a decision how to go forward. And I think as long as Steve jobs lives, there’s no way they’re going to open it up. Once Steve Jobs goes away, which is probably not far away, then Apple will have to make a strategic decision on whether to open up the platform.”
Jobs is on his third medical leave of absence as he continues to battle health issues related to the diagnoses of a cancerous tumor in his pancreas in 2004.
While there is no official diagnoses for the comments made by Patrick Lo, some medical practitioners, and ordinary Joe’s, referred to him as suffering from a bit of a “brain fail”.
Fortunately for Netgear, Mr. Lo was able to able to somewhat redeem himself by releasing a statement where he again reiterated his stance on Apple to be more open while also issuing an apology.
“I deeply regret the choice of words I used in relation to business decisions Apple must grapple with in the future in relation to open vs. closed systems, which have been construed by some to be references to Steve Jobs’ health and which was never my intention. I sincerely apologize that what I said was interpreted this way, and I wish Steve only the very best.”
(Via Washington Post)
