Will it? Won't it? That's the biggest question facing the iconic Apple today, after its genius leader Steve Jobs announced he was taking a five month sabbatical.
2008 was rife with rumours of Jobs' declining health and, occasionally, that he was at death's door. Jobs finally decided to prove he was still on Planet Earth. Though he looked much thinner as he walked across the stage for the launch of the new iPod models in September, there was a big grin on his face. The huge black screen behind scrolled Mark Twain's unforgettable words: 'The rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated.' Mark T had been compelled to issue that immortal comment after rumours circulated in the early 20th century about the writer's demise.
It was a typical Jobs gesture, but there is no doubt that all's not well on the health front. It's the first time he has missed presenting at MacWorld; made all the more poignant by the fact that this is the last year Apple will participate in it.
Apple's share prices too have been affected by Jobs' ill-health. As for Jobs, he says there are really capable people at Apple and his job is to make the whole executive team good enough to be successors.
But that's not the only inspirational thing the colourful Apple CEO has said over the years... Click here to read more.
Image: Apple Inc's CEO Steve Jobs is shown in this combination photo of file photographs dating from July 2000 to September 2008. | Photograph: Files/Reuters
Also read: Steve Jobs talks about his illness
| Live updates on money.rediff.com |
|
Advertisement
