Jobs Stepping Down as Chief Executive of Apple

Apple said on Wednesday that Steven P. Jobs, its co-founder and leading product visionary, would step down from the chief executive role. Tim Cook, the chief operating officer, will take over the position.

Letter sent to Apple's board of directors

In a letter sent to Apple's board of directors and "the Apple community," Mr. Jobs said he would like to remain as chairman of the board.

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's C.E.O., I would be the first to let you know," Mr. Jobs wrote. "Unfortunately, that day has come."

Although he has officially been on medical leave since January, Mr. Jobs has appeared in public to announce new Apple products. In June he was on stage in San Francisco to talk about iCloud, Apple's latest foray into cloud-based computing. It is not clear how much Mr. Jobs has been involved in the company's day-to-day operations recently. Apple is expected to unveil a new model of its hugely successful iPhone this fall.

"I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role," Mr. Jobs said in the letter.

Michael Gartenberg, innovation director at Gartner, said in an e-mail message that even though this marks the end of an era for Apple, Mr. Jobs will however be able to shape Apple's products in the chairman role. Moreover, he said, "it's important to remember that there's more to Apple than any one person, even Steve Jobs."

Mr. Jobs founded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak, and built the company's reputation with the Apple II and Macintosh computers. He left Apple in 1985 afterwards a conflict with John Sculley, at the time the chief executive. The following year, with a small group of Apple employees, he founded At once Computer, which ultimately focused on the corporate computing market, without notable success. In 1986, he bought the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm and re-established it as the independent animation studio Pixar.

Decade later he sold the Then

A decade later he sold the Then and there operating system to Apple and returned to the company. Finally order he was again at the helm and set out to modernize the company's computers.

With the more recent introduction of the iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad, Apple has shaken up a range of industries. Mr. Jobs has been awarded much of the credit for turning Apple into one of the world's most valuable companies. Last month Apple in outline became the most valuable company in the world in terms of market capitalization.

"In his new role as chairman of the board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his in a class by itself insights, creativity and inspiration," said Art Levinson, the chairman of Genentech and an Apple board member, in the company's announcement.

Charles Golvin, an analyst specializing in mobile innovation at Forrester Innovation, said in an e-mail message that the impact of Mr. Jobs's departure might not be felt for 1.5 to 2 years, "given that the then and there wave of products is far along in development and his continued presence as chairman."

He added: "I think the key question is whether the Apple team will continue to work as effectively as a collaborative without the single person to rely on for the final decision."

Mr. Cook has been Apple's acting chief executive since Mr. Jobs went on medical leave. Earlier joining Apple, he was the vice president for corporate materials for Compaq.