After months of uncertainty about Steve Jobs’ health, the Apple Inc. chief executive appears on track to return from medical leave this month, said people familiar with Apple.
The big question now among Apple’s business partners, investors and fans: Will Mr. Jobs make his reappearance at Apple’s annual software developers’ conference next week in San Francisco, possibly to unveil a new iPhone?
Jobs, a survivor of pancreatic cancer, went on medical leave in January. He had earlier exhibited significant weight loss and cited a nutritional problem related to a hormone imbalance. The unexpected departure, and the few details about Jobs’ ailment, left some investors worried about whether he would return.
Since then, Apple hasn’t provided any updates on Jobs’ health.
While Jobs has been on sick leave, some Apple directors have gotten weekly updates about his medical condition from the CEO’s physician, according to a person familiar with the matter.
