Steve Jobs Is Alive, Apple's Stock Is Fine

Brian Caulfield, Forbes Staff

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How much pollution is generated byApple‘s North Carolina data center? How will Apple respond to the popularity of smart phones built around Google‘s Android operating system? And what, exactly, does Apple plan to do with its $76.2 billion worth of cash and securities?

We can all go back to bothering Apple about the usual stuff. Apple Chief Steve Jobs is alive. Apple’s stock price is fine.

Shares fell just 1.7% Thursday, the day after the Cupertino, Calif.-based Mac maker said it will replace its irreplaceable Chief Executive.

Jobs is now the company’s chairman. Longtime Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook becomes CEO.

Maybe that’s because when Cook promises not to change much, it’s an easy promise to believe:  he’s been running day-to-day operations for years.

Wrote Cook wrote in a letter to Apple employees leaked to Ars Technica:

“I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple’s unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that—it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.”

That’s nice. So when are we going to get an Apple TV set?

Apple shares fell $6.45, or 1.71%, to $369.73 in Thursday trading.