Unplanned Executive Shake Up at Apple

[Noel_Carboni]

Apple Media Advisory

CEO Steve Jobs is taking a leave of absence and placing Tim Cook in charge of day to day operations.

Apple stock has tumbled.

What does the Apple future hold? Is it all really tied to this one man?

-Noel

[Martin_Doudoroff]

For the next six months to a year, Jobs absence probably changes little: their strategies are reasonably mature that far in advance and Tim Cook and the other guys at the core can be reasonably expected to execute with cold precision. If Jobs doesn't return, we'll know in about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years just how crucial he was in steering and inspiring the company.

The one way his absence unquestionably cripples Apple is communication: they don't have anybody else on staff who can stand up on stage and get the nerds and the media hacks to swoon.