To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
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
Someone once said that the third most important aspect of a product is the technology, the second most imprtant aspect is the brand name, and the most importat aspect of a product is its spirit. If Apple sold only technology, it would be a third-class company. If people bought Apple's products just for the brand name, like Louis Vuitton, Apple would be a second-class company. But Apple sells a smart sprit, so it is a first-class company.
What Apple needs to worry about now that Steve has resigned is not losing its technology or losing its brand name. It should be losing Jobs' spirit, the powerful vision that created a cultural shock throughout our generation.
