Apple and the next five months

Appletell Readers:

I’m sure you’ve all read about Steve’s latest announcement. I’m also sure you have your own opinions about the matter. How could you not? I’d like to share mine with you now.

In Steve’s most recent letter, he stated “… during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.” I don’t mean to be nit picky, but is it more complex than Steve thought, or more complex than his doctors thought? Jobs has a long history of waiting on health issues. He waited for 9 months to receive any treatment (or make announcements for that matter) the last time around, according to CNN. So, if Jobs is being consistent, then this must be serious enough.

Yet, I still don’t think that Jobs is dying. I think he’s much more responsible than that, and he intends to come back in June. I can’t speak for the whole Apple community, but I trust Jobs. I may not agree with him on everything, but I trust the man to tell me how it is (when he eventually decides to tell, at least). And if Jobs says he’s coming back in June, then I believe him.

But what will the next 5+ months be like? Will it be any different? Will Jobs take a pay cut down to $.50 for 2009? I’m doubting that much will change, though I will point out a few things. It’s widely rumored that Apple will be releasing one (or likely more) products before the end of June. If these rumors are to be believed, and I think it’s reasonable to expect at least one new product in that time frame, then someone else has to announce it, perhaps Tim Cook. I can’t wait for some new Apple products, but you know, I’ll still be missing the “booms.”

I really don’t think there is anything to worry about as far as Apple in concerned in the next five months. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Apple is more than Steve Jobs. There are tons of great people working to bring us the products we love from Apple. That’s not going to change overnight, and I’m doubting five months will change much either. And even still, Jobs isn’t going to be fully out of the picture. He still intends to be a part of all major business decisions. So, let’s look forward to July when Steve comes back to Apple. He likely won’t have to save the day, but he will be welcomed back.

Steve, I look forward to seeing you this summer.

Jake Gaecke

PS. I want to know what you think about this whole situation. Is this terrible for Apple? Is Tim Cook going to do a good job? Will product announcements be the same? Let me know in the comments.