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Jobs' appearance at the company's recent developers' conference raised concerns that he is still feeling the effects of his successful cancer operation in 2004. The New York Post reported at the time that investors were worried about his health and claimed that some had sold stock in the company as a result of his thin

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appearance.

Apple said that its CEO was suffering from a common bug.

Speaking to analysts during a conference call this week, chief operating officer Tim Cook evaded questions about his boss's well being, insisting it is Jobs' concern alone.

"Steve loves Apple," he said. "He serves at the pleasure of Apple's board. He has no plans to leave Apple. Steve's health is a private matter."

While there is considerably more to Apple than its charismatic leader, the company's recent run of record breaking results simply would not have happened had he not completely revitalised the company since he returned in 1996 after 10 years's exile.

Such is his importance to the company, that financial publication Barron's has estimated that were he to step down it could wipe as much as $20 billion from the company's stock market valuation.

[photo: With this phone... Apple will rule the world!!! by chakote]