Odd That Jobs Shared Apple Stage

Apple(AAPL Quote) announcements always mean we'll get to see Steve Jobs do an incredibly masterful job of explaining and selling the company's newest breakthrough products.

But Tuesday's big laptop announcement was very different from previous Apple events. It may have been a preview of the future.

Usually, Jobs' role in these events is that of master of ceremonies, professor, activist, cheerleader and company boss all rolled into one. That's why these events are always so entertaining.

(Photo gallery: A look at Steve Jobs over the years)

The latest showcase of Apple's newly overhauled line of laptops was a departure from the norm. First of all, the session ran just over an hour. Some previous sessions would be enthralling for nearly double that. And Jobs played only one role during the presentation -- M.C. He let others do much of the talking, and that could have been the most telling part of the show.

Steve Jobs says his BP's good, but how's his overall health?

Jobs wants to keep his private life and medical history secret. I agree that as a private citizen he has every right to do so. But without delving into his entertainment empire, Jobs is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of a large, successful technology company. He worked very hard to make it that way. Actually, he did so twice.

It's public knowledge that he has battled cancer in the past. In 2004, he told employees that he had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his pancreas.

That type of cancer is almost always fatal. Jobs said he has a rare, less-aggressive type, so after trying a diet cure, he underwent surgery to have the tumor removed. Jobs called the surgery a success. Talk has it that he didn't require radiation or chemotherapy.