Apple boss Steve Jobs is to go on indefinite medical leave in order to focus on his health, the company has officially announced.
A press release was issued on Monday afternoon after an email was circulated to all employees. Tim Cook, chief operating officer, will take charge of Apple's day-to-day operations. Jobs insisted in the email that he would still be involved in "major strategic decisions".
Jobs' health has been under scrutiny since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. After successful treatment, he again took ill in December 2008, requiring a liver transplant in April 2009.
The full text of the release, sent to all Apple employees, follows:
"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"
Apple is due to announce its FY 2011 Q1 results on Tuesday 18 January.
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Comments received
treadmill said on Mon, 17 Jan 2011
Call me pesimistic, but I wonder if this is very serious?
TomRichardson said on Mon, 17 Jan 2011
myob
lavarae said on Tue, 18 Jan 2011
I think for what ever reason, he’s easing Tim Cook into the big job. Hopefully it's because he needs to slow down and he wants to spent his energy with his family. Hopefully.
guysmilely said on Tue, 18 Jan 2011
Maybe we'll get someone that is so protective of itunes rentals we we can finally get blu-ray
Gleddit said on Tue, 18 Jan 2011
What ever the reason, I simply hope that Steve is OK!
I think he has built a great team, who care as passionately about Apple as he does, so he is simply getting those dumb-asses in Wall Street etc used to the idea that Apple is not just Steve Jobs, it's full of talented people and their products get used by lots of talented people too :)
tom66 said on Tue, 18 Jan 2011
Surely, with his money, he could get a doctor to clone a liver from his own stem cells? Whatever the case, good luck Steve!
whelk said on Wed, 19 Jan 2011
Sorry, tom66, there are still some things that money just can't buy, and cloned replacement cells for ANY cancer victim are very high on that list. Not even on the National Health… Not even for rulers of important things, like nations. Get well soon, Steve Jobs!
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