For the second time in two years, Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs is taking time off for medical reasons. Of course, we know very little about the severity of his conditions, and the time he plans to be absent. At this point, all anybody knows is the contents of his public address:
Team,
At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.
I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.
Steve.
COO Tim Cook will, once again, be filling in Steve during his absence. In the past, the company still progress, but slowed tremendously without their CEO. Major releases such as the iPhone 5 and the iPad 2 will most likely still be rolled out, with help of Phil Schiller, Apple’s Marketing Manager. On the contrary, releases of secondary products such as Mac OS X Lion may be delayed.
One line that is worrying all of us from Steve’s letter is as follows:
I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can.
I don’t know about you, but those words don’t install encouragement. This doesn’t sound like something Steve would say if he planned on being back in a few months. Moreover, this may be a heartfelt cry if he thinks he may not be returning as CEO. In 2004, Jobs was treated for the rare but survivable neuroendocrine cancer. In 2009, during his first open ended absence, he had a liver transplant. All we can hope is that Steve utilizes his time off and gets what ever treatment he needs.
Please leave your thoughts and comments below, what will happen with Apple? Do you see Jobs coming back, or will he have to be replaced?
In the meantime and inbetween time, let our thoughts go to Steve and his family for his safe, healthy and timely return to his position as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer.
