Technology giant Apple rocked Wall Street Wednesday by announcing that its founder-CEO Steve Jobs has resigned from the top post, ending a colorful career that spanned over 14 years.
Jobs suffered for long from a rare pancreatic cancer and was on medical leave for an undisclosed condition since Jan. 17, 2011. His gaunt appearance has been subject of a raging debate as investors often questioned his health and ability to continue at Apple.
Finally, the announcement came on Wednesday evening. 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, Jobs said in a brief letter to Apple employees.
However, Apple has not been left an orphan. Apple COO Tim Cook has succeeded Jobs as chief executive, while Jobs will continue as Apple's Chairman of the Board.
Nonetheless, Apple shares dived as much as seven percent in after-hours trading following the announcement, because the market knew Cook had big shoes to fill -- Jobs has been a driver of innovation and is clearly the main reason behind Apple's success.
Start the slideshow to find out the top 10 biggest achievements of Apple during Jobs' reign.
A dedicated iPad station is seen in front of iPod nanos at the Apple store in New York May 23, 2011ReutersA visitor walks into an Apple store in Clarendon, near Washington, D.C.ReutersRicardo, the first customer in Madrid to buy an iPad 2 tablet after waiting 33 hours in line, shows off his purchase as Apple store staff applaud at an Apple store in Arroyomolinos, near Madrid, March 25, 2011ReutersAn Apple banner showing OS X Lion and iOS 5 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, June 7, 2011IBTimesApple's new iPod Shuffle (top to bottom), iPod Nano and iPod Touch, are displayed at Apple's music-themed September media event in San Francisco, California September 1, 2010ReutersA man uses an Apple iPhone in Santa Monica, California August 24, 2011ReutersA customer looks at an iPad 2 during the China launch at an Apple Store in central Beijing. Apple's iPad is the global tablet leader, but a new tablet from Amazon is expected to be released in October that could rival the iPad.ReutersMedia and guests check out Apple's MacBook Air 11" (L) and 13" models and new operating system after attending a news conference at Apple Inc. headquarters in Cupertino, California October 20, 2010ReutersApple Chief Executive Steve Jobs introduces full-length, high resolution movie downloads from the iTunes website to the crowd at an Apple media event at the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts theater in San Francisco, California, September 12, 2006ReutersThe $13 million theft enterprise has been running since 2010 and specialized in selling Apple products overseas. ReutersApple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs gives a wave at the conclusion of the launch of the iPad 2 on stage during an Apple event in San Francisco, California March 2, 2011Reuters
