Apple co-founder Steve Jobs resigned as CEO on Wednesday, throwing into uncertainty the future of one of the most important companies in geek culture. Jobs had been on medical leave since January. COO Tim Cook will take over as CEO.
Apple’s iTunes and its devices, the iPod, Touch, and iPad, are continuing to revolutionize the delivery of media. The comics business is currently in the full throes of Apple Impact, with iOS devices the most important channel for monetizing digital comic content. Other device groups are certainly following, but Jobs’ leadership has been a powerful force in the process of moving to digital delivery for media of all kinds. In addition to comics, other media categories music, video, books, games, and software have all either been or are being hugely impacted by Jobs most recent tenure at Apple.
Jobs is reportedly remaining as Apple Chairman and as a board member at Pixar (and Marvel) parent Disney.