VOA标准英语2011--Pondering Apple's Future Without Steve J

Pondering Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs

When Steve Jobs died Wednesday, the business world lost a marketing¹ genius - one of the world's most creative and successful innovators. Jobs, who is credited with rescuing the company he founded and turning it into one of the world's most valuable corporations, is considered one of this generation's great trailblazers. As the world mourns Job's death, though, some are wondering what will happen to Apple now that its iconic leader is gone.
For a college dropout², Jobs did quite well. A billionaire many times over, Jobs was the ultimate salesman, a man who seemed to know what consumers wanted even before they did.
"Everything will be portable, people want large color screens that they can put photographs on, people want motion videos," said Jobs.
Return to form
By creating well designed products that people wanted to use, Jobs returned to a company that was nearly bankrupt in the early 90's and transformed it into one of the world's biggest corporations.
But can Apple continue its winning ways without its spiritual leader?
Sanford Bernstein technology analyst³ Mark Newman said, "Well I am not going to say it is the end of Apple's innovation. I do believe they will continue, they have many, many great people there. But I am concerned long-term about the innovation waning⁴, as I said before.
Newman says Apple's dominance in consumer electronics faces serious challenges from its competitors, some who are involved in a number of high-profile legal battles with Apple.
"And I do think they are coming under increasing attack by companies, especially Samsung, especially at the low-end, as well as the high-end. And I think without Steve Jobs, this is actually going to become significantly worse for them to fend⁵ off," said Newman.
Challenges, confidence
But some analysts⁶ say Job's decision to step down as CEO in August and his nomination⁷ of Tim Cook as his successor means Apple's fate is no longer as closely tied to its charismatic leader.
Hong Kong market analyst Francis Lun said Apple shares have held steady, reflecting investor⁸ confidence in Apple's future.
"As far as the stock market is concerned, I think you will find people who will short Apple shares, but other than that I really do not think there is really that much effect on the stock market or the business world," said Lun.
Even so, many consider Jobs the heart and soul of the company. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak mourns the loss of so much creative potential.
"There was so much more that was yet to come, even though he was so accomplished⁹, and that is what we worry about now. Why? Because every product from Apple spoke¹⁰ like it was Steve Jobs. He was represented by this stuff, and I am not going to put out just some great stuff, it has got to be insanely great. That is how he wanted to appear to the world," said Wozniak.
"Insanely great" was one of Job's favorite catch phrases. The question now is whether that legacy¹¹ of revolutionary products and ideas will continue without Steve Jobs at the helm.

1 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

2 dropout   

n.退学的学生；退学；退出者

参考例句：

• There is a high dropout rate from some college courses.有些大学课程的退出率很高。
• In the long haul,she'll regret having been a school dropout.她终归会后悔不该中途辍学。

3 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

4 waning   

adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡

参考例句：

• Her enthusiasm for the whole idea was waning rapidly. 她对整个想法的热情迅速冷淡了下来。
• The day is waning and the road is ending. 日暮途穷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 fend   

v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开

参考例句：

• I've had to fend for myself since I was 14.我从十四岁时起就不得不照料自己。
• He raised his arm up to fend branches from his eyes.他举手将树枝从他眼前挡开。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

8 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

9 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

10 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

11 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。