Apple CEO Steve Jobs returned to the limelight 8 September at the annual Apple conference in San Francisco after almost a year’s absence due to medical leave to have a liver transplant. He thanked his anonymous donor, a “mid-twenties year-old” car crash victim, for his generosity and urged everyone to become an organ donor. Looking thin and frail, Jobs reported that Apple had sold 30 million iPhones in little over two years. He also announced software improvements to the iPod Nano, new features at iTunes, and price cuts in the products. Jobs received a standing ovation. Apple shares reached a 52 week high of $172.93 the same day, but dropped back one percent at closing. Businessweek, CNET, MSNBC, Reuters
Apple’s second financial period quarterly report “soared” past analyst’s expectations, reports Reuters. Profits rose to $1.21 ($1.05m in Q1 2008) and net income rose to $8.16 billion, an increase of 8.7 percent over the same period a year earlier. The ongoing love affair with iPhones and iPods is credited with the strong sales, and shares rose 3 percent on the news.
