Steve Jobs taking 'medical leave of absence' from Apple

Apple’s chief operating officer Tim Cook will be stepping into Steve Jobs’s role as Apple’s CEO while the company’s co-founder takes an extended leave due to ‘more complex issues’ with his recent health problems.

Jobs failed to attend this year’s MacWorld Expo due to what was called a hormone imbalance, and in a recent email to Apple employees he explained his reasons for temporarily stepping down.

“Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, 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, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

“I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple’s day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job.”

Before joining Apple, Cook was vice president of corporate materials for Compaq, COO of Intelligent Electronics’s reseller division and spent 12 years overseeing IBM’s manufacturing and distribution.

After joining Apple, it’s reported that Cook managed to save the company over US$350 million by encouraging component manufacturers to move their locations closer to Apple – a bizarre tactic that undeniably paid off.

So it seems Jobs has left Apple in more than capable hands, and Pocket Gamer would like to add its best wishes to Jobs and family for a speedy recovery.