Apple CEO Steve Jobs Resigns Position to Tim Cook - Job's Health Problems Continue - A Legend forced to Retire

Today marks a day of relief for Apple competitors, but ignites a sorrow filled Apple community. Steve Jobs, the former CEO and Co-founder of Apple Inc has officially announced his resignation as CEO. This is his official letter to his staff at the infamous Apple Inc:

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

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

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.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve"

For those of you that aren't very familiar with the name, "Steve Jobs," he is the inventor of more than just Apple. He is said to be the creative mind behind just about everything ever designed by Apple Inc. He turned his young adult life into the greatest modern success story, which provides inspiration to everyone and everything around us. Job's introduced the iPod and a revolution for digital media than many people said would never become successful. Digital media is now owned or used by just about everyone. His idea's have been so advanced and ahead of "our time" that technology hasn't been able to keep up with his consumer demands. 1984 marked the creation of the first Mac computer along with an inspiration comercial that became familiarized in modern society. The original Mac was so advanced at the time of it's creation that they couldn't be mass produced at an affordable price or timely manner. Around this time is when Bill Gates announced the first Microsoft Windows computer. Microsoft could offer personal computers for a fraction of what the Mac cost and they could be produced at a more rapid pace. Steve Jobs refused to give up the reliability and future technology possibilities on Apple's devices and continued to move on to the next big idea that he had planned. As the 21st century approached as well as Jobs' idea of digital media, Apple began taking off faster than most people could have ever predicted. Jobs has continued to come up with ideas never seen before and develop products that aren't even usable yet. The most recent example of his advanced technology is the addition of "Thunderbolt." Thunderbolt is a port added to the 2011 models of Apple devices that offers download speeds of over 20GB per second, but technology is lagging behind and hardly anything can actually use the port at this time.

If you know about the legendary success story of Steve Jobs, than you most likely are familiar with his battle with pancreatic cancer. He has taken a number of leaves for medical purposes including transplants and treatments. Apple announced that Jobs would be taking an indefinite leave late last year, which became in effect January 17, 2011 as he put Tim Cook in charge of Apple until he could continue the role of CEO. He never "officially" left or came back from this leave. His medical condition remains private and is respected by most of the media. His decision to step down is speculated to be a result of his returning health problems, but it is also possible that he is ready to retire from the industry that he changed completely. He is stepping down because he no loger seems fit for the job, but wants to remain a shareholder and a chair member at Apple Inc.

Apple Shares have surprisingly stayed steady throughout the day of the announcement, dropping just over 5%. Tim Cook is a 12-year veteran at Apple Inc. and is more than qualified for the position handed over by Jobs. Only time will tell if Apple will continue to change our daily technology.

As a tribute to my inspiration provided by Steve Jobs, I will be publishing a few inspirational HUBS about Jobs' success story and genius mind.