[Kyle Matthews]

image by xkcd.com EDIT: Comic is merely to soften the harshness of the story - a few folks have been offended, its not our purpose to tick folks off. We wish Steve well and hope for the best for he and his family same as you. The pic stays.

Until June, for now, that is. The mighty Steve has been sick for a while, and notably didn't even appear at this year's Macworld keynote, having Phil Schiller stand in to deliver the lack-luster news for the hungry Apple-enthusiasts attending.

Steve had previously stated he'd be standing fast at the helm during his recovery, but apparently that's no longer doable.

In an email to employees, El Jobs wrote

...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.

Tim Cook, the company's chief operating officer, will be steering the rudder until Steve is back.

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. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

Get well soon, Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your fam.

MSNBC Apple 2.0 Blog

[monadzback]

I hope he gets better.

[chazdrums]

Oh man, I hope this isnt the end of an era.

[noggin123450]

I can't believe Steve Jobs is stepping down! I hope it isn't permanent.

[gatorboy]

Holy ****... Get well!!!

[Biznotch]

maybe prices will begin dropping? haha jk hope u get better steve-o

[dale1v]

Originally Posted by Biznotch

maybe prices will begin dropping? haha jk hope u get better steve-o

stocks might O_o

[dkaye]

Despite mouthpiece denials of anything serious, speculation is rising that his pancreatic cancer has returned. Hope he gets through whatever it is that's ailling him.

[ajl917]

I know its just a temporary leave of absence, but this could actually be pretty serious...

[KelvinalF]

Originally Posted by ajl917

I know its just a temporary leave of absence, but this could actually be pretty serious...

exactly how they stated there was no health problems now this hopefully this is the truth Steve:[

[huntor]

that illustrations not funny at all.


..im sure something big will be presented/released the day he comes back just to make it that much more memorable.

[iGuy]

I know I don't actually know Mr Jobs but I feel like he's a member of my family.

Wishing you all the best Steve and I hope you're back where you belong soon.

[cjgonzales1900]

steve makes apple who it is, without him apple will lose a lot of its supporters. Steve is the only reason i still like apple. I mean their products are great, he just makes apple more friendlier. from all the jailbreakers get well steve.

Originally Posted by huntor

that illustrations not funny at all.


..im sure something big will be presented/released the day he comes back just to make it that much more memorable.

i have to agree steve is a hero in the apple world no matter if you are a jailbreaker/modder or just a apple fan we all respect Steve Jobs, for what he has brought us through the years.

[khaoticsquirrel]

he'll be fine, no worries people. i have the inside hookups. they claim if magic can beat AIDS, steveo's got this puny illness crushed. money beats everything.

[A418t81]

As a physician, I can tell you that Jobs looks like a textbook case of a person eaten up with cancer. Also, the 5 year survival rate of pancreatic cancer is less than 5%. I wish him all the best, but I don't buy the "hormonal imbalance" bit for a second.