Steve Jobs takes new medical leave; no date to return
18 months on from pulling the world's most famous sickie, the Apple boss drops another bombshell.
Apple boss Steve Jobs sent an email to all employees today, telling them he is taking a new round of medical leave from the country.
In January 2009, Mr Jobs (55) - a pancreatic cancer survivor - took six months's leave from the company while he undertook a liver transplant.
It became the most famous sickie in history, with the media circus fueled by the fact Apple's board refused to reveal any details of Mr Jobs' condition (his transplant was only made public after the chief executive returned to work). But at least the company did say when he was expected back in the office.
This time, the Apple boss has set no time-frame to return, although he says hopes to be back at the company as soon as possible.
As during Mr Jobs' last leave of absence, Apple COO Tim Cook will take temporary day-to-day control of the company.
Mr Cook received a $US39 million bonus after his previous stint filling in for Mr Jobs.
The acting CEO will have his work cut out for him again. Apple has at least two major product releases in the works: iPad 2 and iPhone 5, both expected later this year.
The Nasdaq is closed for Martin Luther King day. In Europe, Apple shares slumped 6.2% on the Frankfurt exchange. The company's shares have surged 40% over the past six months, eclipsing Microsoft.
"Tremendous potential for complications"
When speculation first emerged about Mr Jobs' liver transplant, Professor Michael Findlay, head of the Discipline of Oncology at the University of Auckland’s School of Medical Sciences, told NBR that there is also “tremendous potential for complications”.
Complications could relate to how the Apple boss’s body accepts the new liver (donated by a 20-something car crash victim), and industrial-strength immunosuppression drugs that may be required to help the process along, Professor Findlay said.
NBR staff
Tue, 18 Jan 2011
Tue, 18 Jan 2011
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Steve Jobs takes new medical leave; no date to return
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