Jobs’ medical-leave memo: Déjà vu, but did he say enough?

Elements suggest an indefinite, even long-term absence, but public buzz isn’t focusing on whether Apple can muddle through without him.

Here’s what we know: Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced Monday he’s taking a medical leave of absence and hopes to be back “as soon as [he] can.” In the meantime, COO Tim Cook will oversee day-to-day operations.

Monday’s announcement prompted plenty of media attention, notably from Fortune, which reported on Jobs’ 2009 trip to Switzerland for cancer treatment.

Apple’s stock also took a hit early Tuesday, though it had mostly recovered by the closing bell.

Jobs’ e-mail announcing his leave was strikingly similar to the one he issued almost exactly two years prior, the key difference being that the earlier memo stated Jobs would return to the company after five-and-a-half months.

Communicators and Apple-watchers are left to ask again, did he say enough? And, just as then, opinions vary. Most communicators did agree on one thing: The idea that Apple can’t survive without Jobs isn’t as prevalent this time around.

Silence may or may not be golden

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