或許全世界的蘋果產品愛用者與老賈粉絲都會記得八月廿四日這一天，因為蘋果執行長 Steve Jobs 於美國時間八月廿四日星期三正式以公開信宣布辭去蘋果公司執行長一職，並建議由目前的營運長 Tim Cook 續任執行長。這個消息一公布，立刻讓蘋果股票在盤後交易下跌超過 5% ，跌幅達 20 美元之譜。
Jobs 在公開信中表明先前講過若有一天無法繼續執行長的職責時，會讓大家立即知道，「不幸的是這天已然到來」。他說明倘若董事會覺得適當的話，他很樂意繼續擔任董事長與蘋果員工；並且在信末表示他確信蘋果最光明與最創新的日子尚未到來，他期待在新角色上看著蘋果成功並貢獻心力。
雖然 Jobs 在信中沒有說明為何辭職，但外界將此消息視為其健康情況可能已經惡化的表徵。
蘋果公司董事會隨即選舉 Jobs 為董事長，並宣布 Tim Cook 為續任的執行長，同時加入董事會成為董事。
Jobs 的公開信原文如下：
To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple”s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple”s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
