Steve Jobs makes surprise appearance to unveil iPad 2

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance Wednesday at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco to introduce the iPad 2.

Taking the stage, Jobs wore his signature black turtleneck sweater and jeans for the newest version of the iPad. His appearance could not have been more dramatic given rumors of his ill health swirling after the American tabloid National Inquirer said he had just six weeks to live.

Like receiving a thunderous ovation for every song like a rock star, he got a big round of applause whenever he finished an explanation on each subject in his 71-minute presentation.

The 55-year-old said he did not want to miss the chance to launch the iPad 2 after working hard for several months.

Jobs took a medical leave in January to concentrate on his health. Having undergone an operation for pancreatic cancer in 2004 and a liver transplant in 2009, Jobs caused Apple stocks to plunge after taking his third leave of absence.

At the presentation, Jobs said nothing on his health. His straight posture, confident tone, and leisurely manner were no different from those in the past. On the surface, his healthy appearance seemed to make groundless rumors that he had a terminal illness.

Despite record performance, Apple has been plagued by the ill health of its CEO and challenges from rival companies. The figures Jobs released at the gadget show, however, were surprising.

The company sold 15 million iPads over nine months after the iPad’s debut in April last year, raking in 9.5 billion U.S. dollars, and more than 100 million iPhones have been sold worldwide.

In particular, Apple secured 200 million customers who registered their credit card information with the company to buy apps, music and e-books with a click. This effectively created the world’s largest e-commerce market.

Apple fans cheered Jobs on stage while rival companies had nightmares due to his scathing tongue.

Jobs sarcastically called 2011 the “year of copycats” by showing the logos of rival companies such as Samsung Electronics, HP and Motorola on the screen.

Toward the end of his presentation, Jobs told his employees who made the iPad 2 to rise from their seats and urged the audience to give them a round of applause, just as a rock star would for his band, producers and other staff.

sanhkim@donga.com