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In a purported e-mail exchange published by a gossip blog, famously mercurial CEO Steve Jobs told an innocent journalism student to buzz off.

That’s the story featured in today’s Tweet of the Day, which comes from our friends at Valleywag (Gawker Media): “Steve Jobs In Email Pissing Match with College Journalism Studenthttp://gawker.com/5641211/.”

According to the author of the post, Adrien Chen,Long Island University seniorChelsea Kate Isaacs emailed Jobs on Thursday complaining that Apple’s PR department wasn’t replying to any of her e-mails asking about the use of iPads in academic settings:

Mr. Jobs, I humbly ask why Apple is so wonderfully attentive to the needs of students, whether it be with the latest, greatest invention or the company’s helpful customer service line, and yet, ironically, the Media Relations Department fails to answer any of my questions which are, as I have repeatedly told them, essential to my academic performance.”

Jobs allegedly shot back a terse reply:

Our goals do not include helping you get a good grade. Sorry

Incensed, Isaacs shot off another e-mail to the CEO, saying it was a common courtesy to respond to people’s questions. After a few more back-and-forths, Jobs attempted to wrap up the conversation with a deathblow:

Please leave us alone.

Cold. But just about what you’d expect from the world’s most famous ninja.

Apple did not immediately respond to my e-mail requesting comment on the e-mail exchange. Maybe I’ll send a note to Jobs myself whining about the potential impact on my salary. I have cats to feed and a gym membership to pay, you know.

Joking aside, this is especially hilarious for anyone who covers tech, because we all know that Apple’s PR team usually doesn’t respond to professional media outlets so the thought of them responding to a student puts a toothy grin on my face. But congrats, Isaacs: If your story is real, you got a response from the legend himself, which is more than what most of us tech journalists can say.

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Source:wired.com

Posted under Gadget Reviews

While winding down from Wednesday’s iPod announcements, Apple CEO Steve Jobs appears to have taken some time to respond to an e-mail criticizing the new look of the iTunes icon.

Joshua Kopac, who oversees design work for advertising firm ValuLeads, sent Jobs an e-mail blasting the new iTunes icon (right) a blue bubble containing a music note, replacing the old icon of a music note floating above a compact disc.

Jobs said on Wednesday that iTunes was ditching its old icon (pictured above) because iTunes digital music was poised to outpace sales of physical CD albums by next year.

Kopac provided the e-mail exchange to Wired.com:

Steve,

Enjoyed the presentation today. But … this new iTunes logo really sucks. You’re taking 10+ years of instant product recognition and replacing it with an unknown. Let’s both cross our fingers on this….

Jobs’ reply, terse as usual, was such:

We disagree.

Sent from my iPhone

Jobs this past year has been exceptionally chatty with customers, many of whom have reported receiving e-mail responses from the famous CEO. Wired.com reviewed Kopac’s e-mail for its authenticity, and we believe it’s real.

“It’s hideous, don’t you think?” Kopac said of the new iTunes icon in a phone interview with Wired.com. “Essentially it’s just a music note. The CD previously showed what they were about how they were connected to music.”

Kopac isn’t alone, as the new iTunes icon has already inspired a Twitter account dubbed @itunes10icon a fake persona defending itself against critics who call it ugly.

“Everyone’s so quick to judge me,” iTunes10Icon tweeted early Friday. “I don’t judge you and that shitty, hipster music you listen to.”

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Source:wired.com

Posted under Gadget Reviews

Despite last week’s flurry of bad press surrounding the iPhone 4’s antenna, Steve Jobs is still in a chatty mood about his company’s newest handset. His latest personal e-mail to a customer relates to minerals used to create the iPhone 4 and other Apple products.

In an e-mail to Jobs on Sunday evening, Wired.com reader Derick Rhodes inquired about whether Apple was using “conflict-free” materials to create the iPhone 4. Jobs shot back a reply an hour later stating that Apple was doing what it could.

Hi Steve,

I’d planned to buy a new iPhone tomorrow – my first upgrade since buying the very first version on the first day of its release – but I’m hesitant without knowing Apple’s position on sourcing the minerals in its products.

Are you currently making any effort to source conflict-free minerals? In particular, I’m concerned that Apple is getting tantalum, tungsten, tin, and gold from Eastern Congo through its suppliers.

Looking forward to your response,
Derick

Jobs’ reply:

Yes. We require all of our suppliers to certify in writing that they use conflict few materials. But honestly there is no way for them to be sure. Until someone invents a way to chemically trace minerals from the source mine, it’s a very difficult problem.

Sent from my iPhone

Rhodes was inspired to write the e-mail after reading a recent New York Times piece detailing the horrific warfare in the Congo, which sells minerals to the suppliers who create components for cellphones, computers and gaming devices. Grass-roots campaigns have dubbed minerals from such origins as “conflict minerals.”

Jobs has been known to occasionally respond to customers’ e-mails, though in recent months the CEO has sent at least one e-mail each week. Many of these e-mails make their way to blogs. Some social media experts told Wired.com that they believe Jobs’ casual replies have evolved into a PR strategy as a means for the CEO to communicate with the world.

Jobs’ e-mail to Rhodes contains a typo conflict “few” rather than conflict free presumably because he typed it with his iPhone. Wired.com was able to verify the authenticity of the letter.

Rhodes said he felt grateful about receiving an e-mail from the famous CEO.

“I thought it was really cool,” he said. “His e-mails are really concise, so I really appreciate the thought he put into it.”

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Source:wired.com

Posted under Gadget Reviews