Steve Jobs To Take Leave Of Absence?

MacRumors · Jan 5, 2007, 01:08 PM

TheStreet.com is publishing a rumor that Steve Jobs may be taking a leave of absence from Apple. No further explanation is provided, as the rumor is simply stated as an announcement is forthcoming.

Rumors regarding Steve Jobs can often get out of hand, and the current rumor may simply reflect speculation based upon the ongoing SEC stock option backdating investigation. The Street in 2005 issued apparently false rumors that Apple and Google would partner to deliver iTunes tracks through Google.

WildCowboy · Jan 5, 2007, 01:16 PM

Obviously, this rumor with no supporting information should be taken with a huge grain of salt, but if it is true, let's hope it's not due to any health issues. Everyone is so focused on the options issue that we forget about Steve's past health problem. There's been no public indication that he's had a relapse of any sort, so I'm really just throwing it out there as an alternative possibility.

Let's hope that a) everything is fine with Steve, and b) this rumor doesn't come to pass anytime soon, for whatever reason might precipitate it.

Peel · Jan 5, 2007, 01:16 PM

Ugh! Say it isn't so!!

devman · Jan 5, 2007, 01:20 PM

no way. no Jobs at Apple means aidenshaw has no life

Clive At Five · Jan 5, 2007, 01:20 PM

Okay, IF Steve is going on LOA, and IF the PhonePod is real, would it be reasonable to deduce that Steve would wait until it is announced before he left?

Learning toward 'yes?'

-Clive

Zweben · Jan 5, 2007, 01:20 PM

Nooo!!!

I hope this proves to be about as true as the Apple PDA rumors.

mattalici · Jan 5, 2007, 01:21 PM

C'mon! It's MacWorld time! Quit tryin to rain on my parade!

Leave of absence? WTH is that supposed to mean anyway? Does he leave for awhile and then come back and ... WHAT? THis makes no sense. I SERIOUSLY doubt this. How about Steve just keep working and let things take their course... innocent until proven guilty anyone?

Oh god... i'm bargaining.

longofest · Jan 5, 2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildCowboy

Obviously, this rumor with no supporting information should be taken with a huge grain of salt, but if it is true, let's hope it's not due to any health issues. Everyone is so focused on the options issue that we forget about Steve's past health problem. There's been no public indication that he's had a relapse of any sort, so I'm really just throwing it out there as an alternative possibility.

Let's hope that a) everything is fine with Steve, and b) this rumor doesn't come to pass anytime soon, for whatever reason might precipitate it.

health issues are purposely left out of the story. I'm not going to speculate on Steve Jobs health, and even if I did know for sure or not, I'm not going to post the guy's health info on the website. There are lines that you just don't cross.

Either way though, you pretty much nailed the reason why this is on page 2.

thejadedmonkey · Jan 5, 2007, 01:25 PM

I hope not, the loss of Jobs to Apple would be a major thing. However, if it does happen I can see it happening soon; Apple has been saying that 2007 is going to be big for them, product wise, and if steve left, apple would still have their products to stand on. Also, macs use x86 chips, which was one thing steve always wanted.. now that that's over and done with, I can see it happening.

Unfortunately, without a figurehead like steve, Apple risks becoming just another microsoft.

twoodcc · Jan 5, 2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devman

no way. no Jobs at Apple means aidenshaw has no life

lol!

but yeah, i don't believe it

liketom · Jan 5, 2007, 01:29 PM

The question would be if Steve left who would fill the New Balance's (Nike's when he run's)

WildCowboy · Jan 5, 2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longofest

health issues are purposely left out of the story. I'm not going to speculate on Steve Jobs health, and even if I did know for sure or not, I'm not going to post the guy's health info on the website. There are lines that you just don't cross.

Of course...it's just hard not to be reminded of the circumstances that led to his last leave of absence. That was the first thing that jumped into my mind, not the options issue.

ijimk · Jan 5, 2007, 01:32 PM

I hope he doesn't leave, I mean i know they have accomplished alot with him at the helm but I just can't see apple being apple without Steve Jobs.

BuzWeaver · Jan 5, 2007, 01:34 PM

Guess we will wait and see.

motulist · Jan 5, 2007, 01:38 PM

This is actually an important topic, because Apple is really a Steve Jobs personality cult. Any time you have an organization built upon a single prominent personality, the organization itself is in a precarious situation. Take Cuba for instance, the whole country is a Castro personality cult, and now that Castro is in poor health and might be dying, the entire direction of the country is in question.

It really is about time that Jobs started grooming a successor. He already had a bout with cancer, and he's not in his twenties or thirties any more, and even if he was, he could get hit by a bus. Apple really needs an heir apparent, even if it's only for setting stockholder's minds at ease.

highres · Jan 5, 2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijimk

I hope he doesn't leave, I mean i know they have accomplished alot with him at the helm but I just can't see apple being apple without Steve Jobs.

That's what everybody thought when Woz left.

It is true though, when people think Apple they think Steve Jobs, especially since it was his new product innovations that have brought Apple back from the brink numerous times.

mcorange · Jan 5, 2007, 01:50 PM

I don't take this article seriously, however I have thought about what's gonna happen when he DOES go...for whatever reasons.

That is the speculation of all speculations, of course... is there any known marketing wiz that would really fall into his place at Apple?

I say we do speculate, not on wether he's going, but on when he does, what will happen:

Clive At Five · Jan 5, 2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motulist

It really is about time that Jobs started grooming a successor. He already had a bout with cancer, and he's not in his twenties or thirties any more, and even if he was, he could get hit by a bus. Apple really needs an heir apparent, even if it's only for setting stockholder's minds at ease.

Steve: "Okay, Clive, just remember these three simple things:"
Clive: "Listening, my lord"
Steve: "Number one: No product is good enough until it is exactly the way you want it"
Clive: "No product is good enough until it is exactly the way I want it"
Steve: "Number two: 'otomatically' 'boom, just like that' 'insanely great' & 'one more thing.' "
Clive: " 'otomatically' 'boom, just like that' 'insanely great' & 'one more thing.' "
Steve: "Number Three: goofy grin"
Clive: "Goofy grin."
Steve: "Okay, good work. See ya."

...in my dreams...

-Clive

Chaszmyr · Jan 5, 2007, 01:54 PM

Is this the first time that this particular analyst has reported on Apple? I don't recognize his name, and it seems unlikely that an analyst that doesn't pay much attention to Apple would be the first to know this.

liketom · Jan 5, 2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive At Five

Steve: "Okay, Clive, just remember these three simple things:"
Clive: "Listening, my lord"
Steve: "Number one: No product is good enough until it is exactly the way you want it"
Clive: "No product is good enough until it is exactly the way I want it"
Steve: "Number two: 'otomatically' 'boom, just like that' 'insanely great' & 'one more thing.' "
Clive: " 'otomatically' 'boom, just like that' 'insanely great' & 'one more thing.' "
Steve: "Number Three: goofy grin"
Clive: "Goofy grin."
Steve: "Okay, good work. See ya."

...in my dreams...

-Clive

o golly golly golly, it scrolls like butter

Warbrain · Jan 5, 2007, 02:04 PM

I just don't see this happening. He's not going to leave now...

iJawn108 · Jan 5, 2007, 02:14 PM

I hope not, and wish Steve the best of health. Maybe Lisa will take his place.

Silencio · Jan 5, 2007, 02:15 PM

Yes. Why would he leave now when things are really starting to get good product-wise?

I would be inclined to think it's more to do with the stock options problems than with his health. I sure hope this rumor is as correct as TheStreet's prediction that Google would sell iTunes songs: e.g. totally wrong.

WildCowboy · Jan 5, 2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

Is this the first time that this particular analyst has reported on Apple? I don't recognize his name, and it seems unlikely that an analyst that doesn't pay much attention to Apple would be the first to know this.

He's not an analyst per se, but he does often write for thestreet.com. The interesting thing is that his main job is running short funds, so he might have a vested interest in spreading news that will be viewed as negative by investors. But he doesn't list any such possible conflicts of interest as thestreet.com contributors are required to do.

Other than that, I don't know anything about him.

Silentwave · Jan 5, 2007, 02:18 PM

Please let this be the most incorrect rumor in history

If Teh Steve™ leaves, I think we'll see a rash of apple fan suicides.

Jan 5, 2007, 01:08 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Steve Jobs To Take Leave Of Absence? TheStreet.com is publishing a rumor that Steve Jobs may be taking a leave of absence from Apple. No further explanation is provided, as the rumor is simply stated as an announcement is forthcoming. Rumors regarding Steve Jobs can often get out of hand, and the current rumor may simply reflect speculation based upon the ongoing SEC stock option backdating investigation. The Street in 2005 issued apparently false rumors that Apple and Google would partner to deliver iTunes tracks through Google.

Jan 5, 2007, 01:16 PM	#2
WildCowboy macrumors god Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nowhere near the infinite loop anymore	Obviously, this rumor with no supporting information should be taken with a huge grain of salt, but if it is true, let's hope it's not due to any health issues. Everyone is so focused on the options issue that we forget about Steve's past health problem. There's been no public indication that he's had a relapse of any sort, so I'm really just throwing it out there as an alternative possibility. Let's hope that a) everything is fine with Steve, and b) this rumor doesn't come to pass anytime soon, for whatever reason might precipitate it. __________________ 15" 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro -- 15" 1.67 GHz PowerBook -- 14" 1.2 GHz iBook

Jan 5, 2007, 01:16 PM	#3
Peel macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle	Ugh! Say it isn't so!! __________________ 24" Aluminum iMac 2.8GHz/4GB/500GB+1.5TB External HD MacBook Black C2D 2GB/160GB 8GB iPhone

Jan 5, 2007, 01:20 PM	#5
Clive At Five macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2004 Location: St. Paul, MN	Okay, IF Steve is going on LOA, and IF the PhonePod is real, would it be reasonable to deduce that Steve would wait until it is announced before he left? Learning toward 'yes?' -Clive __________________ My Mod: G4 Cube + Atom 330 CPU + Wiimote = Ultimate HTPC!

Jan 5, 2007, 01:21 PM	#7
mattalici macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: LA	uh, NO NO NO C'mon! It's MacWorld time! Quit tryin to rain on my parade! Leave of absence? WTH is that supposed to mean anyway? Does he leave for awhile and then come back and ... WHAT? THis makes no sense. I SERIOUSLY doubt this. How about Steve just keep working and let things take their course... innocent until proven guilty anyone? Oh god... i'm bargaining.

Jan 5, 2007, 01:20 PM	#4
devman macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: AU	no way. no Jobs at Apple means aidenshaw has no life

Jan 5, 2007, 01:20 PM	#6
Zweben macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2004	Nooo!!! I hope this proves to be about as true as the Apple PDA rumors.

Jan 5, 2007, 01:25 PM	#9
thejadedmonkey macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pa	I hope not, the loss of Jobs to Apple would be a major thing. However, if it does happen I can see it happening soon; Apple has been saying that 2007 is going to be big for them, product wise, and if steve left, apple would still have their products to stand on. Also, macs use x86 chips, which was one thing steve always wanted.. now that that's over and done with, I can see it happening. Unfortunately, without a figurehead like steve, Apple risks becoming just another microsoft. __________________ Mac Mini G4 • MacBook Pro • iPod Nano "Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement. - Mark Twain

Jan 5, 2007, 01:29 PM	#11
liketom macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lincoln,UK	The question would be if Steve left who would fill the New Balance's (Nike's when he run's)

Jan 5, 2007, 01:32 PM	#13
ijimk macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Here	I hope he doesn't leave, I mean i know they have accomplished alot with him at the helm but I just can't see apple being apple without Steve Jobs. __________________ ijimk 60 gig iPod 5g; iPod shuffle; dual 1.8 ghz G5 nVidia 6800, 2 gig ram; 20" Cinema display; 1.8 ghz Macbook Pro

Jan 5, 2007, 01:34 PM	#14
BuzWeaver macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA USA	Guess we will wait and see.

Jan 5, 2007, 01:38 PM	#15
motulist macrumors 68040 Join Date: Dec 2003	This is actually an important topic, because Apple is really a Steve Jobs personality cult. Any time you have an organization built upon a single prominent personality, the organization itself is in a precarious situation. Take Cuba for instance, the whole country is a Castro personality cult, and now that Castro is in poor health and might be dying, the entire direction of the country is in question. It really is about time that Jobs started grooming a successor. He already had a bout with cancer, and he's not in his twenties or thirties any more, and even if he was, he could get hit by a bus. Apple really needs an heir apparent, even if it's only for setting stockholder's minds at ease.

Jan 5, 2007, 01:50 PM	#17
mcorange macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2006	I don't take this article seriously, however I have thought about what's gonna happen when he DOES go...for whatever reasons. That is the speculation of all speculations, of course... is there any known marketing wiz that would really fall into his place at Apple? I say we do speculate, not on wether he's going, but on when he does, what will happen:

Jan 5, 2007, 01:54 PM	#19
Chaszmyr macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boulder, CO	Is this the first time that this particular analyst has reported on Apple? I don't recognize his name, and it seems unlikely that an analyst that doesn't pay much attention to Apple would be the first to know this.

Jan 5, 2007, 02:04 PM	#21
Warbrain macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chicago, IL	I just don't see this happening. He's not going to leave now... __________________ WARBRAIN Twitter \| Blog MacBook, 2.1 GHz C2D, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD iPhone 3G 8 GB

Jan 5, 2007, 02:14 PM	#22
iJawn108 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2006	I hope not, and wish Steve the best of health. Maybe Lisa will take his place. __________________ Black MacBook \| Core Duo 2 GHz \| 2 GB Ram \| 320 GB HDD \| OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 - iPod Touch \| 16 GB Camino OpenSolaris

Jan 5, 2007, 02:15 PM	#23
Silencio macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco	Yes. Why would he leave now when things are really starting to get good product-wise? I would be inclined to think it's more to do with the stock options problems than with his health. I sure hope this rumor is as correct as TheStreet's prediction that Google would sell iTunes songs: e.g. totally wrong. __________________ "I don't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." - John Cage

Jan 5, 2007, 02:18 PM	#25
Silentwave macrumors Demi-God Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL	Please let this be the most incorrect rumor in history If Teh Steve™ leaves, I think we'll see a rash of apple fan suicides. __________________ + nikon MP Xeon 5400 8x2.8/10GB/8800, MBAir 1.8/80, iPhone3G D3, D300, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 200-400, +press creds

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