Steve Jobs Resigns as Apple CEO

There have been some major announcements made in the tech industry over the past two weeks, but this might be the biggest, and the most important. It has just been announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO at Apple, handing over the reigns to the previous head of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, Tim Cook.

According to the press release, this transition is immediate, and it was with Job’s own advice that Tim be made CEO. Art Levinson, the Chairman of Genentech and also an Apple board member, speaks of the new CEO, “Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.“.

About Steve Jobs, his words mimic those of many, “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.“

Apple is a love/hate kind of company, but it’s impossible to argue with those words. Steve took Apple when it was dangling on the edge of meltdown, and turned it around to become the most profitable (and interesting) company in Silicon Valley.

Jobs took an indefinite medical leave beginning in January, and although the press release doesn’t state that this is the root cause of his resignation, but it no doubt plays a substantial role. In a published letter, Steve asks to be made Chariman of the Board and director, should the rest of the board agree. 

What do you guys think will happen with Apple’s direction in the years to come with Jobs not acting as CEO? He could still offer input, and when we look at Microsoft, not that much changed when Bill Gates left, so it’s hard to say. Steve Jobs has left Apple in good hands and with good momentum, so it might take years before the effects of having a different CEO will be seen, if at all.