Cable Companies to Apple: OK, Let's Rumble

Apple founder's character questioned by many interviewees

(NEWSER) - Steve Jobs had an FBI file, assembled during a 1991 background check when Jobs was being considered for an appointment by George HW Bush, and the agency has just made it public after a FOIA request from the Wall Street Journal . Read all 191 pages here , or check out highlights below from the Journal and Gawker :

• Jobs' past drug use is a frequent topic in the file, but interviewees seem to agree that he had left that lifestyle behind him.
• One man calling himself a former "good friend" of Jobs said that the Apple founder is "basically … honest and trustworthy," but that "his moral character is suspect." Jobs, the man continued, "alienated a large number of people at Apple, as a result of his ambition."
• Another source did not want to discuss Jobs, due to "questions concerning his ethics and morality."

Asia provides workers, flexibility that US can't match

(NEWSER) - Last year, President Obama asked Steve Jobs whether iPhones could be made in the US instead of Asia. Jobs was blunt: “Those jobs aren’t coming back." The New York Times takes a long look at why. In short, Asia has a surplus of engineers and factory workers who work cheaply in flexible companies—so flexible that one reportedly roused thousands of workers at midnight to produce redesigned iPhones on a massive scale. Says a former White House adviser: “If it’s the pinnacle of capitalism, we should be worried.” More»

Company received legal threats from Apple, Jobs family

(NEWSER) - The company behind the eerily lifelike Steve Jobs action figure has killed the project after receiving complaints and threats of legal action from Apple and the Jobs family. Officials from the Hong Kong firm In Icon say that while they believe the $100 doll does not violate copyright laws because it doesn't come with likenesses of any Apple products, they have no wish to offend the family of the late Apple chief, the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

But Hong Kong manufacturer is unfazed

(NEWSER) - Might Apple put the kibosh on a Hong Kong manufacturer's plan to sell $100 Steve Jobs action figures next month? Apple is "allegedly threatening to sue" and already has dispatched a letter of warning, reports the Telegraph . The report is a little thin, and there's no confirmation from Apple, but the company did successfully stop another firm from marketing a Steve Jobs doll in 2010. More»

Comes complete with iPhone, iPad ... in miniature, of course

(NEWSER) - Sadly, this did not make it out in time for Christmas, but you can still buy your tech-loving boyfriend one for Valentine's Day: A 12-inch Steve Jobs action figure goes on sale in February … but you'll have to shell out $100 for it. The figurine comes with glasses and two apples (one with a bite in it), but other accessories—like mini versions of the iPad and first Mac computer—will cost you extra. Jobs is, of course, wearing his signature black turtleneck and jeans. The Telegraph notes that another Jobs action figure was briefly offered for $89 last year, but Apple blocked it since Jobs had not given his consent. It remains to be seen whether the same fate awaits this figure, made by InIcon. Click to see the 'eerily realistic' figure . More»