Steve Jobs has just announced he is stepping down from the CEO position of Apple. He will be succeeded by Apple's chief operating officer, Tim Cook. Steve Jobs will remain at Apple as chairman of the board and director. This is... Strange.

Steve Jobs' announcement is sparse with words, as always.


"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you."

Even though Jobs will still play a vital role at Apple, it's obvious this is the end of an era - and what an era. Apple was pretty much dead when Jobs took over, but under his leadership, the company grew from Silicon Valley's laughing stock to the world's largest technology company. The iPod, iPhone, iPad - all major success stories that turned the company into the behemoth it is today.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Apple next. The company has always been more or less equated to Steve Jobs, and with him stepping down from the prime spot, many have predicted the company will have a far harder time than it had under his leadership. While the world obviously won't come crashing down just because he stepped down from the CEO position, long-term effects might still be negative.

We'll see.

Antes de mais, a questão pessoal, porque nem todo o dinheiro do mundo consegue adiar o inevitável, nem uma fortuna pessoal na ordem dos 8.3 biliões de USD consegue comprar saúde. Desejo por isso que a doença lhe permita viver com dignidade.

Um aparte: sem querer ser simplista, talvez fosse a sua maior obra canalizar uma parte muito significativa da sua fortuna pessoal para a investigação e tratamento do cancro. Já vai sendo tempo de começar a vencer esta doença infernal.