News Bits: Jobs Returns to Work at Apple

Written by Erin Barker

Tuesday, June 23. 2009 at 11:00 AM EDT Post a comment

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It's been confirmed that Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs did indeed report to work yesterday at the company's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, clad in his usual black turtleneck and jeans.

His return passed without much fanfare, though, as Apple's been silent about it, aside from quoting him in yesterday's press release about booming iPhone 3GS sales.

Jobs, who went on medical leave in January for a "hormone imbalance" and apparent liver transplant, has been working by email over the past couple of weeks and may be back only part-time for the next few months, according to a USA Today report. It's also unclear whether yesterday was a one-off, or if he'll be back in the office today.

However, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal this morning, Apple could have bigger fish to fry, as COO Tim Cook, who served as interim CEO during Jobs's absence, has proved to be invaluable to the company.

"At this point, losing Tim Cook would be a bigger deal to investors than if Steve Jobs stepped aside. Just that thought makes my stomach tighten up," Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster told WSJ before running for the bathroom.

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