SAN JOSE, Calif. — In one of the most curious vanishing acts in American corporate history, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs remains on what is now the longest of his three medical leaves, popping up in public on the rare occasion, reportedly keeping an opaque remote control over major decisions but also prompting questions as Apple keeps its trademark veil of secrecy drawn tight over its iconic leader’s status.
It has been more than six months since Jobs, often considered not only the face but also the heart and soul of Apple, has been gone. Yet he’s not really gone at all, though by one account he’s less involved in micromanaging every aspect of the business.
With two major public outings to introduce the iPad 2 and iCloud, and cameo appearances at a private Woodside, Calif., dinner with President Barack Obama and fellow tech titans and a Cupertino, Calif., City Council meeting last month to unveil plans for Apple’s new headquarters, Jobs slips tantalizingly in and out of public view.
And the markets don’t seem to care either way. Under the direction of chief operating officer Tim Cook, Apple stock has soared to record highs as its iPhone, iPad and other products enjoy spectacular success around the world.
“Apple’s dealing with this situation in their own unique manner,” said Joel Achramowicz, an analyst with Blaylock Robert Van. Cook “is the operating executive, but Steve Jobs is still involved. It’s an unconventional approach. With other companies, you might expect the board to require the CEO to take a true and complete leave of absence. Not here. But then, Apple’s just being Apple.”
Even in his absence, the CEO seems to be around every corner — an unconfirmed sighting of Jobs at a Palo Alto, Calif., sushi spot last spring; tabloid photos outside the Stanford Cancer Center; an e-mail to The Wall Street Journal from Jobs calling its report of CEO succession planning by Apple board members “hogwash.”
“I don’t think you can draw too much from the length of the absence,” said analyst Tim Bajarin with Creative Strategies. “I think the process he’s going through is recuperative, which means he probably needs to be more at home and less physically active. But I don’t believe that’s diminished his role in any way.”
