Obama is Shown New Technology Computer

Obama is Shown New Technology Computer

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An extraordinary photograph of America's wealthiest internet entrepreneurs toasting the future with President Obama was released today. 

Among them was stricken Apple boss Steve Jobs, who is thought to be gravely ill with pancreatic cancer. He was only shown from behind.

The photograph, taken at a technology summit in California, shows Mr Jobs on the left of the President, with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on his right. 

But it is a far more informal photograph than would usually be released after such an event.

Reporters had been banned from the event and only official White House photographers were allowed. 

And while a photo of Mr Zuckerberg with the president was issued shortly after the summit, no other pictures were released - raising suggestions that pictures of 55-year-old Mr Jobs were being withheld to protect his privacy.

Earlier today the White House told Mail Online that the Zuckerberg photo would be the only one issued.

However, as speculation mounted about Mr Jobs's health, the White House made the decision to release a second picture.

Also present at the technology summit was Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, Yahoo boss Carol Bartz and Twitter CEO Dick Costolo.

Mr Jobs, who has come to embody Apple's turbulent history and some of the industry's most cutting-edge products, stepped away from the company on medical leave last month.

It was the third time in seven years that the man behind the iPod, iPhone, iPad had taken time out because of health reasons. 

And it is now thought the Apple figurehead’s health may be failing much faster than previously admitted.

The National Enquirer claims he is stricken with pancreatic cancer and may have just six weeks to live.

Today Apple's shares opened 1.4 per cent down at $358.71.

The tech titans gathered for talks with Mr Obama at a mansion owned by venture capitalist John Doerr in the affluent suburb of Woodside after the president flew in for a two-day trip to the West Coast.

Mr Jobs previously met with Mr Obama during his last West Coast swing in October.

Yesterday Mr Obama flew in on Marine One, landing on the soccer pitch of Canada Community College in Redwood City, before driving to the exclusive house in a motorcade.

The White House said the trip was aimed at promoting technological innovation to help boost the struggling U.S. economy and reduce stubbornly high unemployment - considered crucial to his 2012 re- election chances. 

'The president specifically discussed his proposals to invest in research and development and expand incentives for companies to grow and hire, along with his goal of doubling exports over five years to support millions of American jobs,' spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement after the meeting.

Mr Jobs had surgery in 2004 for an unusual type of tumour on his pancreas called a neuroendocrine tumour. He had a liver transplant in 2009.

Apple has refused to provide any details of Mr Jobs’s condition and would not comment on the Enquirer pictures, reportedly taken as he arrived at the Stanford Cancer Centre in Palo Alto, California.

The other guests at the dinner were Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Genentech Inc chairman Arthur Levinson, president of Stanford University John L. Hennessy, venture capitalist Steve Westly and head of Cisco Systems John Chambers.