In The News: Steve Jobs To Take A Sabbatical

This is a news article by Tim Conneally from BetaNews:

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The Apple CEO's health problems are "more complex than [he] originally thought," so today, Tim Cook will be placed in control as Jobs takes a medical leave of absence.

Last Week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs released an uncharacteristic statement to the public regarding his health, and addressing speculation about why he would not be appearing at Macworld.

Jobs said his health condition was attributable to a hormone imbalance which his doctors said could be treated. He also said that if he was unable to fulfill his duties, he would be stepping down as CEO.

Today, Jobs issued a further statement that he may be doing just that.

"Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family," reads Jobs' statement this afternoon, "but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

"In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products," Jobs continued, "I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June."

Jobs assigned Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook to handle day to day operation, just as he had done in 2004 when Jobs had surgery for pancreatic cancer.

Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook (left) with Steve Jobs. Cook will take over Apple's daily operations until Jobs return to office some time around the end of June or early July 2009

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Apple's Mac OSX has grown strong in recent years not only due to the blunder Microsoft had with Windows Vista (even though in my opinion, it significantly improved after the release of Service Pack 1), but with the way Jobs have managed the operation of the company. A few months back, Apple lost a chunk of its market stock when rumors persists that Steve Jobs is seriously ill to the extent that he might pass away (the rumors has sinced been quashed). Even with the sort of form Apple currently had over Microsoft, Apple's market may deteriotate had they lose Steve Jobs on any sort of occasion.

I am neither supportive nor critical of Apple Inc & its products, but then without their persistent existence and current edge of the consumer market over Microsoft, Windows 7 wouldn't have shape out in the right way it should have with Vista (as of the current beta stage).