Nothing.

Yep, absolutely nothing. Well, unless you're a Wall Street investor who lives by the minute, in which case you're probably a computer engaged in high-frequency trading anyway. (Apple's dropped about 5% in after hours trading, which means, again, absolutely nothing.)

Sorry for the tease, but most reactions you're going to read in the next few days, and there will be countless thousands, don't mean anything.

Jobs has been in a reduced role at the company since January when he took a leave of abscence. Apple has shown no signs of slowing up and continues to vacuum cash faster than it can build vaults in which to pile the horde.

I'm willing to concede that it's surprising that it happened today, just "like that," but Tim Cook has been at the company for years and has shown himself apt at running Apple during Jobs' many abscenses. This won't stop journos from picking off the low-hanging fruit of speculating about Jobs, his health, the future of Apple, or fevorishly writing premature obits with zealous glee. There's a summer intern probably picking through Tim Cook's trash right now. "EXCLUSIVE: Tim Cook prefers smooth peanut butter! What does this mean for the future of Apple?"

Neither you nor I know what's going to happen, so let's just chill, wish Steve the best and see what happens.