∞ Steve Jobs returns to Apple, at least for a visit

Steve Jobs has been spotted on the Apple campus by a Reuters reporter and several employees, who reported the sighting to CNBC. Steve JobsSome have wrongly reported that Steve returned to work. I know it’s a picky point, but there is no indication that he is actually working. For all we know, he could have stopped by Apple to pick up his favorite black mock turtleneck.

Another tenuous indication that Steve is back is a statement is yesterday’s press release announcing the company had sold one million iPhone 3G S phones in the first three days.

“Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning,” said Jobs. “With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever.”

It’s important to note that every other press release has quoted another Apple executive since Steve took his leave of absence in January. Even the press release announcing the iPhone 3G S at WWDC.

As we all know by now, Steve reportedly had Liver transplant surgery two months ago in Tennessee. The fact that he is recovering so well is a testament to the man’s resolve. I think I would still be home watching re-runs of Hogan’s Heros after going through that.

It’s also good for Apple. Having Steve back is like having the best general in the world back at the helm, leading you into battle.

Steve doesn’t sit in a dark room on the Cupertino campus soldering pieces together to show the engineers and executives in the morning. (At least, I don’t think so, although he could). But he does inspire some of the most talented people in the world to give everything they’ve got for him and the company.

I still think it’s too early to say Steve has returned to work, but he has returned and that is an amazing thing.