“More than any other technology company, Apple Inc. has succeeded in giving its fans products they lust for and the press fodder for speculation on its secretive ways. But even more, its leader Steve Jobs is such an icon to the faithful that he can unwittingly take attention away from a major new product launch,” Therese Poletti reports for MarketWatch.
“That was evident this week when the company unveiled its new faster, cheaper iPhone… But a strong undercurrent at the event focused on the emaciated appearance of co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs. While Jobs looked especially gaunt in his trademark black turtleneck and faded jeans, other Apple executives spent more time on the stage during his keynote address — a notable move for an executive who typically spends much of his speech rallying the Mac faithful and introducing many products himself,” Poletti reports.
“This created a dilemma of sorts for those of us in the business and technology press, but it is also not the first time his appearance has caused concern. In 2004, Jobs successfully battled pancreatic cancer, and since then, there has been occasional speculation about his health after one of his public appearances,” Poletti reports.
“Jobs’ health is an even more pertinent issue given Apple’s history of being less-than-forthcoming with investors about such matters,” Poletti reports. “Investors did not learn of Jobs’ last bout with cancer until after his surgery. Fortune reported earlier this year that Jobs was diagnosed with a rare but treatable form of pancreatic cancer in 2003 and avoided surgery for nine months while he tried alternative remedies. Apple’s board of directors sat on the news the entire time after consulting with attorneys, who reportedly advised the company that they could remain silent on the issue to investors.”
“Katie Cotton, an Apple spokeswoman, told reporters who inquired that Jobs was hit with a common bug two weeks ago and he’s been on antibiotics, getting better day by day and didn’t want to miss WWDC. ‘That’s all there is to it,’ she told Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday,” Poletti reports. “We all hope that is the case.”
More in the full article, including side-by-side photos of Jobs from WWDC 2007 vs. WWDC 2008, here.