This is truly the end of an era - Steve Jobs has informed the Apple board of directors that he is stepping down as CEO of the company he co-founded in 1976 and rescued from certain demise in 1997 on the way to completely revolutionizing portable music and portable computing. Jobs' health problems over the past few years have created concerns over his eventual departure from the company. Tim Cook, Jobs' hand-picked successor, will most likely become CEO.
Here is the full text of Jobs' resignation:
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 CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO 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 CEO 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
While we have liked to poke fun at Apple over the years, it is still sad to see such an icon stepping aside.
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I can say I am sad to see Steve's health has deteriorated to such a point that he felt he had to step down as CEO. I hope that this change in positions, he is now Chairman of the Board, will allow for his health to improve. However I am a realist and agree with Justin that may not be the case. As an avid Apple user it will be interesting to see the evolution of this company now that Steve is no longer at the helm, and just how good of a job he did finding 'people' to replace him.
Thanks Steve, and I wish you well in what I hope is a speedy recovery.
I have mixed feelings about this. One one hand, I have grown to really dislike Steve as a person and Apple as a company. But on the other hand, I respect the immense impact that Steve has had on the world. He has changed the tech game in so may ways and while the fluff of his statement downplays this event, I am reading between the lines and do not see him being with us for too much longer. It is a shame that his health seems to be the reason for this decision and I wish him and his family the best during this time. I am also curious how Apple will progress as Steve withdraws from his roles in the company and his influence diminishes. We shall see.