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 Apple chief Steve Jobs is taking medical leave of absence because of "complex" health issues, thereby igniting worries about the future of the iconic maker of iPhones, iPods and Macintosh computers.
On Wednesday in an email to employees Steve commented that he is going on leave "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."
Fifty three year old Steve, a cancer survivor, disclosed on January 5 that he was being treated for a "hormone imbalance." It is also added that since that time "I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought."
"I have asked (chief operating officer) 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," commented Steve.
He continued, "As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out." "Our board of directors fully supports this plan."
The price of Apple's stock plunged 7.07 percent to 79.30 dollars in after-hours trading following the announcement.
Jobs had explained his no-show at Macworld, this month's annual cult-like gathering of Apple devotees, with a letter stating that a hormone imbalance had caused him to lose a troubling amount of weight.
Jobs, who has underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in the year 2005, looked gaunt at his last public appearance in September.
Apple has been notoriously secretive about health condition of Jobs. Also speculation is on since it was announced that for the first time in eleven years he would not give the keynote speech at the Macworld Expo.
Marketing vice president Phil Schiller gave the keynote at Macworld, which ran from January 6-9 and featured companies that promote gadgets, gear, software or services tailored for Apple products.
NPD Group analyst Stephen Baker also added that absence of Jobs should not cripple the company.
He continued, "Apple has a lot of great people there and ought to be able to execute on plans they have," "That is what working on a team is all about. While Steve Jobs is the boss, there are lots of other smart people there."
As Apple's chief operating officer, Cook took charge of the nitty-gritty running of the company. Cook also heads the California firm's Macintosh computer division.
However, in the public's eyes Jobs is Apple incarnate. Apple was teetering on the brink of ruin when Jobs returned to the helm in the year 1996 and led it to marketplace glory.
He had left the company in the year 1985 after an internal power struggle.
Born in San Francisco on February 24, 1955 to a single mother and adopted at a young age. After dropping out of college Steve Jobs founded Apple in the year 1976 along with engineer Steve Wozniak.
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