Does the Apple end here?

I can assuredly say that the name "Apple" has become one of the most well known brands that have dominated everything from the desktop to the laptop to the mp3 to the handphone. Their success seemed to revolve around the creative mind of Steve Jobs which has led me to ponder a few things.

Would their success be stunted should Steve Jobs be taken out of the picture?

Would Apple run into a rough patch if the ideas Apple has come thus far be dependent on just one person?

Even though there are a few lineups for future developments, there are concerns as to whether in 2 to 3 years time if Apple will be relegated to a follower as opposed to being a leader it is now. Below are a few good videos I found on youtube that will help to give a clearer picture on the impact of Steve Job's medical leave and the future of Apple.

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth deadliest cancer in the United States, with a five-year survival rate of 6 percent, has also claimed the lives of actors Kenneth Mars, Michael Landon, Joan Crawford, and Sir Rex Harrison, as well as musicians Henry Mancini, Luciano Pavarotti, and Dizzy Gillespie.

For those of us who have little knowledge of what pancreatic cancer is, the video below explains in simple terms what this disease entails.

This short message Jobs wrote does sound rather worrying as unlike the 1st time, he does not put a cap on the period he will be absent. And I believe that his request for privacy also stems from the fact that Apple has grown into the giant it is today and people who have benefited greatly in terms of financial gain would definitely want him to be more transparent and be accountable to them. However from my personal standpoint, I feel that people should respect his need for privacy and let him regain his health because Apple will only be able to move on to greater heights if the forefront visionary is able to lead and guide them.

"At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health," Jobs told Apple employees in an internal memo posted on CNN. "I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company. I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy."

As a fervent apple user, I do hope that Steve Jobs will recover and do what he does best! And that is none other than create products that exceed expectations and innovate. :)