Steve Jobs had the courage to say 'I was wrong': Apple CEO Cook

Apple CEO Tim Cook made an appearance at AllThingsD's conference on Tuesday. He discussed many things - from Apple's desire to manufacture more products in the US to Siri, Facebook and a possible television from Apple - and one of the topics that obviously came up was that of his predecessor and Apple co-founder, the late Steve Jobs.

Cook described Jobs was unique, saying "Steve was a visionary. My role was never to replace him. He was an original. I don't think there's another one of those being made." He went on to downplay any comparisons with Jobs. "I've never felt the weight of trying to be Steve. It's not who I am and it's not my goal in life. I am who I am, and I'm focused on that, and being a great CEO of Apple."

Tim Cook went on to describe a side of Jobs not many may be aware of. "He (Jobs) would flip on something so fast that you would forget that he was the one taking the 180 degree polar position the day before." With the audience laughing at suggestions that Jobs was a 'flip-flopper', Cook clarified that he didn't mean that as a criticism and saw it as a 'gift'. "I saw it daily. This is a gift, because things do change, and it takes courage to change. It takes courage to say, 'I was wrong.' I think he had that."

Cook said Steve Jobs had taught Apple, and him individually, the importance of focus and . "Focus is key. Not just in running a company, but your personal life, as well. That you can only do so many things great, and cast aside everything else". He also praised Jobs for creating a "culture of excellence," and said he is "not going to witness or permit the change of it."

The Apple CEO was speaking at D10, the tenth edition of D: All Things Digital conference, organised annually in California. Since its debut in 2003, the All Things Digital Conference has been bringing to the forefront innovation, dialogue and news from top media and technology figures from around the world.

The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, made 6 appearances at past D conferences. In 2010's conference (D8), he spoke of his company's opposition to Adobe Flash on iOS, as well as the prototype iPhone 4 that went missing at a bar, only to show up with Gizmodo. Jobs also made a memorable appearance on stage with Microsoft's Bill Gates in 2007 at D5.

Tony Bates, CEO of Skype, Larry Ellison, Founder and CEO of Oracle, and John Partridge, President of VISA are also scheduled to make an appearance at this year's D conference.