Steve Jobs in 2007 (Acaban photo, via Flickr)

The big news in the tech industry this morning is that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking another medical leave. His email to employees, made public by Apple, says he requested the leave to focus on his health, but will "continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company."

He continues, "I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011."

And he concludes, "I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy."

Jobs, who battled pancreatic cancer in 2004, last took a medical leave in 2009, when it was later revealed that he had a liver transplant. Cook was also left in charge during that previous leave.

Coverage: New York Times, Alley Insider, CNet News.com.