Apple Officer's Lesser Role

The New York Times

July 26, 1985

Apple Computer Inc.'s co-founder, Steven P. Jobs, will have no role in the operations of the company ''now or in the future,'' Apple's president and chief executive, John Sculley, said at a meeting for securities analysts Wednesday.

The remarks were the most direct Mr. Sculley has made to date on the much publicized reorganization of Apple, in which Mr. Jobs was relieved of operating responsibilities in late May. Mr. Jobs, age 30, remains chairman of the board, and Apple has said he would have a more ''global'' role in guiding the company.

Mr. Sculley, hired from Pepsico Inc. to head Apple in 1983, said he and Mr. Jobs had different philosophies about running the company. Mr. Sculley said Mr. Jobs has great talents that he expects him to exercise, though he did not say where or how, according to analysts at the meeting, which was closed to reporters. The wording of the comment suggested to some analysts that Mr. Jobs might leave Apple.

Mr. Sculley also said that Apple expected its sales in the important Christmas season to be below those of last Christmas. He said he expected the slump in the computer industry to last ''well into 1986.''