Steve Jobs has resigned today as the CEO of Apple. In Jobs’ letter of resignation, addressed both to the Board of Directors of Apple, and the “Apple Community”, Jobs mentions an already-existing succession plan, which includes naming Tim Cook as his successor as CEO of Apple, and requests to remain on as Chairman of the Board of Apple, a director, and an Apple employee.
It is a sad day indeed, not because of the changes at Apple (which remain to be seen), but because Steve Jobs’ resignation almost certainly indicates a turn for the even worse in his health.
Jobs took a leave of absence at the beginning of the year to “focus on his health”; he looked gaunt even then, and nearly emaciated in a public appearance in June. He has been suffering from a rare form of pancreatic cancer, and had a liver transplant in 2009.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Jobs’ resignation is that it was, in fact, a surprise. Even though he was clear about the fact that he would resign if he could “no longer meet his duties”, it seems that very few people, if any, saw it coming now.
Here is the full text of Jobs’ letter to the board:
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To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s C.E.O., I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as C.E.O. of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as C.E.O. of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve
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Perhaps we may now get less hype for Apple’s over-priced products now Jobs has gone but I doubt it. They really have nothing to offer except style in my opinion and that’s hardly a reason for shelling out cash for something that can be purchased elsewhere for a lot less that will do the job in hand. They obviously can’t hack any competition – hence the current nasty business between themselves and Samsung. I get the impression that the company’s apparent ruthlessness directly stems from Jobs’ attitude, judging by the examples of his terse e-mails that have been made public.