The mystery behind the lack of a Stevenote is leading some to speculate that Apple is getting ready to dethrone him, that Jobs has lost some of his typically ironclad control or that his health is failing. “The company can be a little more open about what's happening with Steve Jobs," said Vijay Rakesh, a ThinkPanmure analyst. “It'd help everybody put some uncertainty to rest."
Whether he is sick or not, analysts and investors are justified in wanting to know the state of Jobs' health and position at Apple. His management style has been responsible for turning Apple from an also-ran into one of the electronics industry's true success stories. Perhaps recognizing his value, worried investors knocked 7 percent off the company's share price the day after the company announced he would not make his traditional January appearance at Macworld Expo. And business site Breaking Views estimates Jobs himself accounts for about $20 billion of Apple's current market capitalization.
“That makes Jobs' absence from an upcoming trade show where he's historically the keynote speaker worrisome, especially amid speculation surrounding his gaunt appearance in the summer," writes Breaking Views' Jeff Segal.
Several Apple employees contacted by Wired.com have reported that they haven't seen Jobs since the company announced the CEO would not appear for a Macworld keynote. Jobs generally isn't very visible in public, but the employees said they haven't seen him on campus recently, either.
Apple on Tuesday said Jobs would not deliver his traditional keynote at Macworld Expo 2009, reigniting discussion about Jobs' health and his status as CEO. Apple also said 2009 would be the corporation's final appearance at the Macworld trade show -- and said that's why it's not worth Jobs' time to show up.
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