Steve Jobs Steps Down from Apple

Breaking News!

Steve Job is taking a leave of abscence from Apple after being plagued by rumors of his serious health issues. To date pundits, blogs, and news agencies have speculated over the mysterious weight loss Steve has suffered over the past two years. His abscence from many of Apple’s major events, and this official stance on pulling out of MacWorld futher fueled the idea that Steve Jobs was on his death bed.

While that is not the case based on the official statement, there is no doubt that Apple stock will take a serious hit due to this announcement, and speculation will continue on regarding the validity of this statement.

I personally wish him well. As fan of Apple Inc., their computers, their consumer product, and their innovation in the market. I truly hope we see this amazing man come back before 2009 closes.

Here is the official word from Steve Jobs himself which can be found HERE on Apple’s website:

Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve