Jobs Goes On Medical Leave

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Apple has announced it's CEO Steve Jobs is going on medical leave for unspecified reasons. COO Tim Cook, who recently took the stage on Apple's behalf at the Verizon launch of the iPhone, will be filling in for Jobs.

It was Cook who also stepped in for Jobs a couple of years ago when he took a leave absence to recover from a liver transplant in the wake of his battle with pancreatic cancer. It is unclear if this medical leave is connected in anyway.

Jobs put out an email to his staff today explaining he will still be CEO and "involved in major strategic decisions for company".

Here is a copy of the email in his entirety:

Team,

At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absense so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions of the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple's day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

Apple will be reporting its quarterly earnings tomorrow. Plans for the launch of the iPad 2 and the iPhone 5 are still on track for later this year.

Let's hope for a speedy recovery for Mr. Jobs and that he gets his wish for privacy in the meantime.

Renee Oricchio is a technology writer and former supervising news producer for CNN Financial News. She has been covering the computer industry since 1987. @oricchio