Here is a suggestion for a statement that Apple could issue on Monday to end the speculation about Steve Jobs’ health:

There has been some concern about Steve Jobs’ state of health. Mr Jobs has had intestinal side-effects from his surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2004. Earlier this year, he had minor surgery relating to this condition and subsequently lost some weight. He is free from cancer and his condition is not life-threatening.

It seems extremely likely, from the hints Apple has allowed to escape, and from Mr Jobs’ conversation with Joe Nocera of the New York Times, that this is the truth. A statement to this effect would reassure investors who have become increasingly worried that Apple’s silence indicates that Mr Jobs is more seriously ill.

Instead, he appears to be suffering some unpleasant but fairly common side effects from the intestinal surgery he underwent in 2004. The good news for Mr Jobs and Apple investors is that his health problems - if this is indeed the case - are chronic and manageable rather than anything worse.

Nocera’s column is highly readable not only because I think he neatly sums up why Apple’s secrecy is misplaced but because he forced Mr Jobs into telling him what was up, albeit off the record. I liked Mr Jobs’ opening gambit:

“This is Steve Jobs,” he began. “You think I’m an arrogant [expletive] who thinks he’s above the law, and I think you’re a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong.”

There is also a good summary of what appears to be affecting Mr Jobs’ health and weight here on the Fortune magazine website.

A minor excursion from Apple’s habit of compulsive secrecy would be helpful at this point and could put the matter to rest.

July 26, 2008 7:19pm in Technology | Comment