Apple CEO Steve Jobs said on Monday that Apple’s board of directors has granted him a medical leave of absence. It is currently not known why Jobs requested the leave or for how long he will be gone. Jobs also took a six-month leave of absence in early 2009 when he received a liver transplant. Today, Jobs says that he will continue as CEO and will be involved in major strategic decisions while Apple COO Tim Cook will take over day to day operations during his leave.

Team,

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.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s 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.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

Get well soon Steve!

Apple has release Mac OS X 10.6.6, which, among other things, adds the company’s much anticipated desktop application store. “With more than 1,000 apps, the Mac App Store is off to a great start,” said Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs. “We think users are going to love this innovative new way to discover and buy their favorite apps.”

Looks to me as this simple idea will help many Mac users find apps they may never have found. Plus Apple should make a boatload of cash on this. Seems there will be the added benefit of lower app prices as the competition is on. The Mac App Store already has some bargains as compared to the website prices for some apps.

Continue reading Mac App Store Launches…