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What caused Jobs to take a leave of absence?

As the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference approaches will Jobs make an appearance?

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, held in San Francisco from June 8-12, is primarily used by Apple to showcase its new software and technologies for developers, and also offers hands-on tutorials and feedback sessions. The number of attendees usually varies between 2,000 to 4,200 developers.

While many are anticipating the announcement of new products such as the Apple’s rumored Techbook idea and new Ipod and Iphone designs, others are eager to see and hear Apple’s famed CEO, Steve Jobs and decipher his health conditions. With rumors circulating of Steve Jobs illness, many believe that Jobs will not make an appearance this year.

“Steve Jobs is one of the core reason why Apple had made such a turn around over the last couple of years,”Chinaedu Nwadi, 23, Apple Inc.,said. Nwadi is a retail store representative.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Jobs was deeply involved in important decisions at Apple, despite a leave of absence announced in January. Apple insiders say that Jobs has been in control of the company’s product line and is happily developing Apple gear from the comfort of his living room.

But while Apple and their insiders say one thing, the fact still remains that Jobs has missed a significant amount of time away from the central office. In January Jobs a announced that he would be taking a leave of absence due to health reason but, didn’t say what he was suffering from.

“During the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought,” Jobs said in an e-mail to Apple employees.

One medical expert cites a new form of cancer as the reason for Jobs weight loss and his sudden announcement of him stepping back.

“Steve Jobs’ latest health statement is contradictory and makes little sense, according to an expert who says it could mean Jobs has anything from hyperthyroidism to a new form of cancer,” said Robert Lustig, a prominent neuroendocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco.

Though the public is still left in the dark about Jobs health conditions, many are looking forward to seeing if Jobs will follow through with his promise to make an appearance at the 2009 convention.