Steve Jobs Takes Medical Leave

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave of absence. In an e-mail sent to Apple employees, the tech titan said, “at my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.”

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the Verizon Wireless iPhone launch, an event Steve Jobs skipped. Tim Cook, Apple COO, will take the reigns for day-to-day operations. “I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011,” Jobs letter continued.

It is unclear if Jobs’ current health situation is related to the liver transplant he received two years ago. Some long-term complications of liver transplants will no doubt be cause for speculation. These can include skin cancer, lymphoma, or a variety of infections.