Cupertino, CA – Shocking news coming out of Cupertino, CA today as Steve Jobs has decided to step down as CEO of Apple, one of the world most well known and most innovative technology companies.
In a statement that was released by Apple, the company said that ” Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company.”
Steve Jobs then released a separate statement. Steve Jobs went on to say that ” 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”
Apple, under Steve Jobs’ guidance has grown from a faltering personal computer company, into the worlds leader when it comes to technology. When Steve Jobs took over as CEO back in 1996, the company he had founded with Steve Wozniak, and Mike Markkukla in 1976, was facing tough times.
Apple had lost major ground in the personal computing wars, and had fallen far behind its competitors when it came to mobile technology. After a large restructuring effort, Jobs guided Apple to the top of the technology tree. Just 11 years after Steve Jobs took the reigns the world was introduced to the Apple iPhone, and then just three years later, the iPad. The world, and the technology industry was changed forever, with Steve Jobs, and the technology industry never looking back.
Steve Jobs has been replaced by Tim Cook, who was filling the role of COO. There is no doubt that Cook has some big shoes to fill, but the company that Jobs has built seems to be in safe hands. As COO, Cook was responsible for world-wide sales, and end to end management of Apple’s supply chain. Steve Jobs had requested that he stay on at Apple in the role of Chairman, and dedicated Apple employee, it is a request that the board accepted.
The exact reason for Steve’s departure from his role as CEO has not been disclosed, but it is no secret that Jobs, 56, has been very ill. Earlier on this year, Jobs took 3 months leave of absence so that he could travel to Scandinavia for a revolutionary cancer treatment. His first return into the public spotlight was to launch the iPad 2 in March.
It will be interesting to see how Apples stock will fare in tomorrow’s market, and it will also be interesting to see if Apple can continue to be as successful, and as innovative now that one of the greatest inventors of our time has decided to step down from his role at the legendary company that is Apple.
Source:
Engadget, Jobs Resigns As CEO of Apple, By Tim Stevens