Report: Jobs weighing liver transplant

As if Steve Jobs and Apple haven't commanded enough headlines during the past couple of weeks. Late Friday, Bloomberg reported that Jobs is considering a liver transplant.

In a telephone interview with Bloomberg's Connie Guglielmo, Jobs refused to comment on his health status: "Why don't you guys leave me alone--why is this important?"

The article, which quotes anonymous sources said to be "monitoring his illness," says that Jobs is weighing the transplant "as a result of complications after treatment for pancreatic cancer in 2004."

A spokesman for Apple said the company had no comment on the report.

On Wednesday, Jobs announced he was stepping aside for a six-month medical leave of absence. The mystery over his drastic weight loss has fed all sorts of speculation about what's ailing him. In an e-mail to Apple employees, Jobs wrote the following:

"...during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought. In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June."

"I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan."

Jobs, who is the closest to what is a rock star in the tech industry, wants his private life to be private. And like other celebrities, he would prefer that people stop obsessing about his health or other aspects of his private life. But it goes with the territory.

Celebrity obsession is a part of the culture-just check to see what the most popular search terms are on Google or watch Entertainment Tonight.

Still, it's understandable that Jobs wants to be left alone to deal with his medical problems. I sympathize. He doesn't have to say anything to anyone. But Apple Inc. might as well be "Jobs Inc." to many people. As the head of a company that is almost synonymous with this name, he unfortunately has some disclosure obligations.

Dan Farber contributed to this report

[Get_a_life_Leo]

I think CNET has been infected with a new virus that replicates and rehashes stories, rumors and innuendo relating to Steve Jobs. Apple is an important company, but this is like hearing an addict tell you, "this will be my last fix, I promise". Can we move on?

[kcotham]

Agreed. Real reporting on real news would be a welcome change. CNET has been going down hill for some time now.

[charlie cooper]

bloomberg reported what appears to be a new development. we're bringing that to readers' attention. period.

[charlie cooper]

see my comment below. same applies to your complaint

[Mr. Dee]

Agreed, he has said it now, leave him alone!

[Cheetahjab]

wow CHarlie Cooper, you sure jump to defend the fact you put no effort into this, I could care less of apple operates or folds.. but it's getting old seeing nothing but pointless articles that repeat themselves in just another persons words.. While your at it , report if Britney Spears took another trip to the bathroom in the last 5 minutes.. I'm sure it's just as interesting .

[mrorie]

I knew even before I got past the headline that the comments would have someone going "THIS ISNT NEWZZZZ". Thanks for making me right again, guys.

BTW - it's news.

[griffiw]

I think Steve's quote at the top of this story says it all. The media needs to chill out about his health. I realize that he's a key component of the company, but he's still a person who deserves privacy. If he wants his health to be a private matter, why can't it stay that way?

[HeavyJim]

Im with you, they need to "chill out" on jobs. Besides, he will be chilled before long.

[4wight]

Perhaps Charles Cooper could explain why he puts a headline stating that Jobs is considering a liver transplant as if it's a fact, when the Bloomberg report contains no source, official or unofficial, to that effect. The only quote about a liver transplant comes from a Dr Brower who, as the article states, 'hasn?t treated Jobs and doesn?t know details of his condition'. In other words Brower, who knows nothing of Jobs' case but is saying that he could consider a liver transplant. How is this news? And Cooper goes and puts on his headline as if it's a fact. Talk about poor quality journalism. I agree with the other comments that CNET has gone down hill as far as quality is concerned. And Cooper is one of the worst offenders.

[Sporlo]

it's advertising. It worked for me.

it's just to attract viewers, like how AtheneWins uses the Tania thumbnails and the misleading titles to get more views for its videos.

I hate advertising. That doesn't mean anything though, because nothing's going to change. It's all money.

[gooben]

Has CNET been bought by FOXNEWS? Such destructive reporting of unsubstantiated rumor sure smells like it. There's still time. You can re-establish some journalistic integrity very quickly by either 1) providing proof of your allegations, or 2) printing an unequivocal retraction. Personally, I can't understand how one American can do what you have done to another American. Coulter didn't ghost write the piece, did she?

[Zandora777]

"Why is this important?" is a stupid question that makes me wonder exactly how in-tune with his company he really is. As for a liver transplant, I bet if he wants one that he won't have to wait (like everyone else does).

[Sporlo]

It's not important. People have made it important for themselves, but the thing itself isn't. If people are upset about Apple's handling of Jobs' health, then the people should stop obsessing over his health. When you don't want to tell someone something, but they keep bugging to the point that you eventually do tell them, it can create problems. Yes, Apple should have chosen a path and stuck to it, either being all public or all private, but it's more difficult when you have a company as big as it is and group of people and media as massive as they are.

[George_Marenco]

If Steve Jobs wants to keep his health private then respect his decision.

[opiapr]

This is simple if you don't care about a news don't read it. But their a couple million other people with different views that may be interested. Thats like me seen a news report pertaining to a Hotel for dogs. i know I am not interested so won't read it so I can justify my idiotic complain afterward.

[Vegaman_Dan]

What would really shut the media up is if Jobs went completely open and shared his medical information. Once it's all out in the open, there is no more speculation. He's essentially a public figure at this point and he could easily stop all the stories right there.

Make it open, don't try to hide it and it will quickly become boring and irrelevant.

[Sporlo]

Jobs doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would decide to be 100% open about ANYTHING.

[AppleSuxLeo]

It`s been reported that he is also getting an insulin pump that runs on Windows CE. bWAHAHAHAHAH

[Mr. Dee]

I can see the Newsweek cover now. 'Jobs', Windows Saved my Life'.

[HeavyJim]

I get a kick out of people crying about cnet not being able to report actual news, but they keep visiting the site and evidently, enjoying it. Same for the comments on fox news, they hate it, claim they won't watch or read it, yet always know what is on there.

[SJ2571]

+1

[AppleSuxLeo]

He shouldn`t worry about weighing the liver. If the tissue typing indicates it is a good match , he should go for it.

[AppleSuxLeo]

"Weighing a liver transplant" is Apple-speak for something far worse ?

[vanwahlgren]

Of course Steve is close to death. All of us have thse experiences sometimes. Lets pray for him..