TotheAppleBoardofDirectorsandtheAppleCommunity:
IhavealwayssaidifthereevercameadaywhenIcouldnolongermeetmydutiesandexpectationsasApple'sCEO,Iwouldbethefirsttoletyouknow.Unfortunately,thatdayhascome.
IherebyresignasCEOofApple.Iwouldliketoserve,iftheBoardseesfit,asChairmanoftheBoard,directorandAppleemployee.
Asfarasmysuccessorgoes,IstronglyrecommendthatweexecuteoursuccessionplanandnameTimCookasCEOofApple.
IbelieveApple'sbrightestandmostinnovativedaysareaheadofit.AndIlookforwardtowatchingandcontributingtoitssuccessinanewrole.
IhavemadesomeofthebestfriendsofmylifeatApple,andIthankyouallforthemanyyearsofbeingabletoworkalongsideyou.
Steve