BREAKING: Jobs takes medical leave from Apple

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave from the company until the end of June, telling employees in an e-mail that his health issues are more complex than he had thought, according to a notice posted a moment ago in the New York Times.

In the e-mail, which was sent after markets closed, Jobs said that curiosity over his personal health "continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well."

Last week, just prior to Macworld San Francisco, Jobs announced he had a hormone deficiency that had caused him to dramatically lose weight.

Jobs said he had asked Tim Cook, Apple's COO, to take on responsibility for Apple's day-to-day operations. "As C.E.O., I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan," Jobs reportedly said.

Full e-mail below via Silicon Alley Insider:

Team,

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, 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.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Steve

Thoughts?