What did Steve Jobs do after he left?

Answer 1

After leaving Apple for the first time, Jobs founded NeXT Computer in 1985. NeXT workstations were first released in 1990 but although they were impressive from a technical standpoint, they didn't sell well. The revised, second-generation NeXTcube was released in 1990, also. Jobs touted it as the first "interpersonal" computer that would replace the personal computer. In 1993, after having sold only 50,000 machines, NeXT transitioned fully to software development. In 1996, Apple announced that it would buy NeXT for $429 million. (Note of interest: WebObjects, the Java web application server developed by NeXT was later used to build and run the Apple Store, MobileMe services, and the iTunes Store.)

The deal for Apple to buy NeXT was finalized in late 1996, bringing Jobs back to the company he co-founded. Jobs became de facto chief after then-CEO Gil Amelio was ousted in July 1997. He was formally named interim chief executive in September. At the 2000 Macworld Expo, Jobs officially dropped the "interim" modifier from his title at Apple and became permanent CEO.

Also in 1986, which was after he left Apple but before he rejoined it, Jobs bought The Graphics Group (later renamed Pixar) from Lucasfilm's computer graphics division. Jobs initially intended PIXAR to be a high-end graphics hardware developer. After years of unprofitability selling the Pixar Image Computer, it contracted with Disney to produce a number of computer-animated feature films that Disney would co-finance and distribute. The first film produced by the partnership, Toy Story, with Jobs credited as executive producer, although John Lasseter was Pixar's creative chief. In the years 2003, and 2004, as Pixar's contract with Disney was running out, Jobs and Disney chief executive Michael Eisner tried but failed to negotiate a new partnership, and in early 2004, Jobs announced that Pixar would seek a new partner to distribute its films after its contract with Disney expired. In October 2005, Bob Iger replaced Eisner at Disney, and Iger quickly worked to patch up relations with Jobs and Pixar. On January 24, 2006, Jobs and Iger announced that Disney had agreed to purchase Pixar in an all-stock transaction worth $7.4 billion. When the deal closed, Jobs became The Walt Disney Company's largest single shareholder with approximately seven percent of the company's stock. Jobs joined the company's board of directors upon completion of the merger. Jobs also helped oversee Disney and Pixar's combined animation businesses with a seat on a special six person steering committee. He remained on the board until his death.