Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak admits he questioned the purchase of NeXT and the switch to Mac OS X, but he thinks the iPod is comparable to the Apple II computer because it "also found the whole formula." He made those comments to Macworld UK, which interviewed him in London during his publicity tour for his new book, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It.

At the time Apple bought NeXT, Mr. Wozniak said that he spoke with fellow co-founder Steve Jobs about it: "I remember asking Steve, telling Steve, that we didn't really need a new operating system for that amount of money involved in the purchase of NeXT. But he said he had an obligation to his shareholders at NeXT." He also said that the OS 7 crashes of the time were linked to the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer. "There was nothing wrong with OS 7," he said.

While he now admits that Mac OS X means "we have a better, more stable, more complete operating system, from the ground up," he also said that he was happy with OS 9. "It was just so secure," he said. "Mac OS 9 was differently constructed to anything else. It wasn't because it was minor and unknown." Regarding OS X's security, he pointed out: "Some of the holes in Unix are well known. So keeping Firewalls on is more important. And we keep announcing, even our own security fixes, not as many as Microsoft but still we never really had those in the OS 9 days."

On the subject of the iPod, Mr. Wozniak said: "What the person wants is not a music player, the person wants music to their ears. From the artist to the ear. So here's Apple, it's got the iTunes Store, it's got the great iTunes program and it's got the great supportable device, the iPod, and it all works together and it flows together with almost no thinking. The iPod is the first music device that's not a music device. It is a little satellite to your own computer."

As for the founding of Apple, he commented: "I never wanted to start a company, I think Steve was much more important in getting the company going. Steve had the vision of reaching the masses and changing the world much more than I did, so he deserves credit for that more than anything. I had the vision for a computer that was useable, that was low cost, that was an incredible thing of its time, and that would amaze people. The Apple II was so far ahead as a product of all time, it was the best product ever, better than anyone could ever imagine."

Mr. Wozniak added: "I think it took both of us, it was a really lucky combination. Because he had the goals and he had the drive and the ambition. Both of us being young also helped. And the fact that the big companies didn't foresee what it would become."