Technology

Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple

SAN FRANCISCO (The Blaze/AP) – Steve Jobs, the mind behind the iPhone, iPad and other devices that turned Apple Inc. into one of the world’s most powerful companies, resigned as the company’s CEO on Wednesday, saying he can no longer handle the job.

The move appears to be the result of an unspecified medical condition for which he took an indefinite leave from his post in January. Apple’s chief operating officer, Tim Cook, has been named CEO.

In a letter addressed to Apple’s board and the “Apple community,“ Jobs said he ”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.”

Jobs’ health has long been a concern for Apple investors who see him as an industry oracle who seems to know what consumers want long before they do. After his announcement, Apple stock quickly fell 5.4 percent in after-hours trading.

The company said Jobs gave the board his resignation Wednesday and suggested Cook be named the company’s new leader. Apple said Jobs was elected board chairman and Cook is becoming a member of its board.

Jobs’ hits seemed to grow bigger as the years went on: After the colorful iMac computer and the now-ubiquitous iPod, the iPhone redefined the category of smart phones and the iPad all but created the market for tablet computers.

His own aura seemed part of the attraction. On stage at trade shows and company events in his uniform of jeans, sneakers and black mock-turtlenecks, he’d entrance audiences with new devices, new colors, new software features, building up to a gran finale he’d predictably preface by saying, “One more thing.”

Jobs, 56, shepherded Apple from a two-man startup to Silicon Valley darling when the Apple II, the first computer for regular people to really catch on, sent IBM Corp. and others scrambling to get their own PCs to market.

After Apple suffered slump in the mid-1980s, he was forced out of the company. He was CEO at Next, another computer company, and Pixar, the computer-animation company that produced “Toy Story” on his watch, during the 10 years before he returned.

The January leave was Jobs’ third medical leave over several years. He had previously survived pancreatic cancer and received a liver transplant.

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

Comments (43)

  • saranda
    Posted on August 25, 2011 at 9:35pm

    Just found out the new CEO is gay. Do I have to return my Ipad and MacBook in order to still be conservative?

    Report Post »  
  • Jeff f.
    Posted on August 25, 2011 at 11:16am

    “…an industry oracle who seems to know what consumers want long before they do. ”

    No, Jobs tells people what they want, and people follow. Why people would want a device in which you need permission from the people who sold it to you to put content on it, I will never know.

    Report Post »  
  • dave88
    Posted on August 25, 2011 at 6:37am

    Thus begins the death spiral of Apple.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on August 25, 2011 at 12:08am

    wow. we just used Steve Jobs as an example for a democrat who was SNEERING at us that “Beck quit FoxNews and ran away cos he felt threatened”. ~~~ we used Capitalism as the storyline.. geeky Jobs created computers that could sit on a desk, nerdy Gates created software for inside the computers and that made many employees. now Glenn Beck made a Media Network OF HIS OWN, with HIS OWN EMPLOYEES so he could give people PAYCHECKS …. so why should he stay at FoxNews and launch HIS OWN Network AND work for Fox TOO?

    think we MIGHT have gotten thru to the dumb dem?

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • saranda
      Posted on August 25, 2011 at 9:38pm

      Good points because Gates and Jobs never built companies that changed the way we interact with each other and hired thousands of employees. Oh yeah and also opened the internet up for all us so that GB could start his own net channel viewed by most using either Microsoft or Apple.

      Report Post »  
  • Cocheta
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 11:25pm

    I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Apple. I’ve owned just about every Apple product since 1987. I tried to move into the PC world on a couple of occasions during the Jobs-less years, but even without Jobs, the MacOS was so much safer and more elegant than anything in the PC world. My dabbling was always short-lived.

    His social and political beliefs aside, Jobs is, undoubtedly, a genius of immense proportions who has changed the world in a mostly positive way. So long as Apple continues in Jobs’ vision of creating useful and elegant technology, I’ll continue to grind my teeth whilst purchasing Apple products for my family and I. Believe me, if I could, I would buy comparable technology from a corporation that doesn‘t promote the Progressive agenda and outsource it’s manufacturing needs to China. Unfortunately, that combination doesn’t exist at this time.

    I’ll be praying for Jobs in spite of our huge differences in fundamental beliefs. Pancreatic cancer/liver failure is a particularly nasty way to die. Wouldn’t will that fate on anyone.

    http://www.vince4potus.org/ – An Alternative to Destructive Professional Politicians

    Report Post » Cocheta  
    • chazman
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 11:49pm

      … you ate sh*t and it killed you (not yet). I never liked you, JOBS. I always knew you were a punk and a stinkin’ LIBERAL MARXIST! That will be yer place in history, not as one of the punks that developed the ‘home computer.’ You are a traitor to humanity … and yer lights go out … punk. You are already history, and no one cares … punk.

      Report Post »  
  • OhioRifleman
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 9:30pm

    I have no particular love for Apple products, but I have no animus against them, either. I respect the position Apple has in the market, and I honor the position that Jobs had chiseled out of the market for his company.

    His achievements will long outlive himself, and that manner of success is not to be scoffed at. Ford, Edison, Browning, Bell, Stoner, Turing, all men whose hands have shaped the future. Though the end will be sad, the loss great, the achievements will be permanent. His entry on the list is assured.

    Report Post » OhioRifleman  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 10:57pm

      What I don’t understand is why all these rich people and rich Hollywood stars keep going to the slash and burn chemo doctors and end up dead. If Steve Jobs paid a little trip to Houston, Texas when he realized he had cancer he might be cured by now.
      Hey Steve… you listening? Read “The Burzynski Breakthrough”, 2nd edition. He has over an 80% success rate with no side affects… for over the last 10 years. Stupid rich people always go to the most expensive doctors and end up irradiated and sicker than when they entered the office.

      Like the song goes, “Your well educated with no common sense”. Take a trip to Houston Steve. You can afford it.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • dscon
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 9:19pm

    apple will just be a blip/hiccup in the
    grand scheme of things.
    capitalism’s other evil………..
    the one the libs think doesn’t exist.

    Report Post »  
  • sillyfreshness
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 8:45pm

    He is a “once in a century” type individual. He is on the same order as Henry Ford-someone who revolutionized an industry and really changed the world. Even though I don‘t like Apple and wouldn’t buy their products (they have too much control over their stuff), I still have great respect for this guy. He is a true innovator and a legend in business. Like I said, once a century someone like him comes along.

    Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • DrFrost
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 8:41pm

    From one human to another, I’ll be praying for you Steve.

    Report Post »  
    • Applehead
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 10:06pm

      He’s a screaming Progressive liberal buy he does make a great product! I hate your Progressivism but I will pray for you also! God Bless!

      Report Post »  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 8:13pm

    Hope he gets well. Obama care is coming soon..he better get better or he’s doomed even with his money. Innovator and genius. Love his work.

    Report Post »  
  • takemout
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:51pm

    God bless him and protect him. He is truly a genius who makes the best product of its kind in every department.

    Report Post »  
  • lonewolf57
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:36pm

    God Bless,Steve Jobs.
    “We started out to get a computer in the hands of everyday people, and we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.”-Steve Jobs

    Report Post » lonewolf57  
  • 82dAirborne
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:34pm

    I’ve never bought an Apple product so I don’t know much about them. But Mr. Jobs has been a Godsend to our economy and our nation. I wish him and his company the best. NO MATTER WHAT HIS POLITICS MIGHT BE!!

    Good luck Mr. Jobs.

    Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • IvanK
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 8:46pm

      I’ve been a Sr Mac Engineer for some VERY large corporations… His products and my knowledge of them have been VERY good to my family!
      THat‘s what socialist and Marxists don’t understand about Capitalism! Despite the fact I’ve NEVER worked for Apple, it’s been their products and my dedication to being an expert on them that has sustained a family, bought a house, cars, health insurance, and paid taxes upon taxes… I pay in and take nothing out…
      BTW, despite the “liberal culture” of Apple – this Conservative Texan has done well!

      Report Post » IvanK  
  • weneedrubio
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:29pm

    I hope this doesn’t mean anything else. He is the most creative and most ethical person in the tech business. What Gates and his crowd did to him early on and his recovery from it really tells you how big a man he is. He will be missed.

    Report Post »  
  • SavingtheRepublic.com
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:26pm

    Uhhhg that sux this guy was the driving force behind them since the beginning. And again when they brought him back cpl years ago when the company had its second coming that has made it a global juggernaut! Stock to drop 20pts tomorrow?

    Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:30pm

      NASDAQ is a 24/7 market. Apple is down $20 as we speak.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:25pm

    Hopefully he’s groomed another innovator to step up & take charge.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • Saveouramerica
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:07pm

    Well it was expected really with al his health problems and then placed as CEO It makes sense. He been beating the waves back a long time.

    Report Post » Saveouramerica  
  • SingerGuy
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:07pm

    I wonder if Apple will advertise with Rush after Steve Jobs steps down? ;-)

    Report Post » SingerGuy  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:18pm

      No chance. Wrong demographic for Apple.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • IvanK
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 8:48pm

      Wrong Demographic? Are you kidding? I’m as conservative as they come and I have made my living from their products for the past 17 years! A GREAT living too!
      The more people that buy these products, the better off my family is!

      Report Post » IvanK  
    • Oh, God!
      Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:57am

      They won‘t advertise on Rush’s EIB, but that doesn’t stop Rush from gushing over his Apple products. In a way, he advertises for Apple for free. I, like Rush, won’t use any other type of computer out there. My first computer in the early 80′s was an Apple IIe. Apple went down hill in the 90′s when they booted Jobs out of the company. When they brought him back in, Apple took off. I freelance (finally a job!) at home and love my laptop, PC‘s can’t handle the graphics that Apple is capable of. He will be missed and I send a prayer out to him. Hate, hate, hate his politics, but I am an Apple-bot and always will be.

      Report Post » Oh, God!  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on August 25, 2011 at 5:50pm

      Correction: PC‘s can’t handle the graphics that Apples can IF the person building the PC has no clue wtf they are doing. Someone who is knowledgable regarding PC hardware capabilities and compatibilities or is willing to do a little bit of research can easily put together a machine equal to or surpassing an Apple in any category and for cheaper.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
  • goobert
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:05pm

    This guy is awesome why does everyone bash him. He creates some of the best stuff.

    Report Post » goobert  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:15pm

      Jobbs created a company from nothing and built the largest company (by market cap.) in America by inventing and producing products that people actually want to by. THAT’S why so many “bash” him. We are being trained to HATE that kind of success.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:23pm

      -and, typing on iPhone still sucks-’as evidenced by my many typos.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • Transmogrifier
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:31pm

      I love when people blame their phone or auto-correct for their typos, as if it somehow robs them of the ability to see what they’ve typed before they post it to the world. Sorry to break it to you, you still sound like morons.

      Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:36pm

      TRANSSEXUAL, I never blamed “auto-correct” for a damn thing. I alone am responsible for typos. I don’t proof-read Internet posts like you obviously do. Moron.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:42pm

      Everybody bashes him? I have missed all of that.

      Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:47pm

      Yup, CHUCK, you missed it alright. Jobs/Apple bashing is all over the place. You have all the tools you need to find it right at your fingertips, literally.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • ooskerDoo
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:01pm

    Quick check your apple stock! Looks like it going… UP!

    Report Post » ooskerDoo  
  • Pat Alexander
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 6:59pm

    Maybe we can get Flash on an iPad now…..

    Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 7:04pm

      Seriously? You thnk Apple will EVER relent to pissant Adobe? No way, short of a hostile takeover, which is beneath Apple.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 6:52pm

    Wow! His days must be acutely numbered. This is and will be a great loss to American Business. Hemwill be missed.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 6:51pm

    The grim reaper appears.

    Report Post » mossbrain  

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