Apple to look outside company for Amelio replacement

Apple Computer Inc. plans to look outside the company to replace Gil Amelio who resigned Wednesday as chief executive officer.

Apple's Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson, who is temporarily assuming Amelio's responsibilities, indicated during the course of a teleconference with reporters that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' role at the company would remain that of an advisor.

"Steve Jobs is our special advisor and working with our management team to review our current strategy," Anderson said.

Although he declined to directly respond to questions about Jobs' candidacy, Anderson said it was "my belief that he is very comfortable" as the chief executive of Pixar.

"Steve Jobs is going to work with this management team to continue to evolve the product marketing and sales strategy of this company," he said.

Anderson declined to share details behind management's decision to change chief executives. However, he allowed that Apple's board "was not happy" with the company's financial performance and that Amelio "didn't fill the profile" of the kind of leader who could return the troubled computer maker to profitability.

The company's third-quarter earnings are expected next week. Analysts say the loss could be as large as $70 million.

Nonetheless, Anderson clung to the official script as he struck an upbeat tone.

"We want to make Apple lean and mean to make it profitable as soon as possible," he said. Alluding to upcoming product introductions, Anderson noted that the next upgrade of the Macintosh operating system would reach the market within the next 30 days.