Steve Jobs Resigns

Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple



Steve Jobs, mastermind behind Apple, has resigned as CEO of the company effective immediately.

Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer, has been named the new CEO, Apple’s board of directors announced on Thursday. Jobs has been appointed chairman of the board.

“I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it,” Jobs said in a public statement. “And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.”

“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board, in a press release. “In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”

Cook first took over earlier this year when Jobs went on leave due to health complications.

Steve Jobs cofounded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak, Mike Markkula, and others. Together they ushered in the Apple II, which went on sale in 1977. It was the first “practical” home computer, eventually dominating the education market in particular. Jobs left Apple Computer in 1985 and set out to develop a new OS and computer company, dubbed NeXT. Jobs returned to Apple in 1996 when the company purchased NeXT for $429 million, and began serving as chief executive in 1997.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

wired.com

...and in other news, the Earth orbits around the Sun.