Apple is known for building excitement over its latest gadgets, but the company’s next closely watched event has nothing to do with a product. Instead, anticipation is growing over the scheduled return of Apple’s charismatic CEO. It’s been almost six months since Steve Jobs announced that he was taking a medical leave of absence until the end of June. As that time quickly approaches, Apple fans, investors and observers have been gripped by questions. Will he come back as promised? If so, in what capacity? And how crucial is he still to the company’s success?

Jobs, who is a pancreatic cancer survivor, revealed at the beginning of this year that a hormone imbalance caused the considerable weight loss that had some speculating whether his cancer had returned. There had been little news since, but that all changed Saturday when The Wall Street Journal reported Jobs, 54, had a liver transplant about two months ago in Tennessee. He has been recovering well, but may work part time for several weeks when he returns to Apple. The fact that the article appeared just hours after Apple began selling its new iPhone 3GS had bloggers questioning the timing of the report, with some suggesting that the excitement over the rollout helped draw attention away from the revelations about Jobs’ health.

Apple didn’t comment on The Wall Street Journal report directly, answering media questions with the same statement. “Steve continues to look forward to returning to Apple at the end of June, and there is nothing further to say,” and declined to provide a specific date for Jobs’ return or say whether Jobs would be making any public appearances or statements.

Few companies have been so closely associated with their CEOs, as Jobs is much more than just the company’s chief executive. His knack for developing must-have gadgets, his signature black turtlenecks and dramatic deliveries during product launches have made him a cultural icon beyond Silicon Valley. What may be lacking years down the road if Jobs retires or leaves are his “X-factor” and his unique stamp on every product.

Source: CNN