Apple Inc's maestro Steve Jobs took the stage to a standing ovation on Wednesday, returning to the spotlight after a brief medical absence to unveil the second version of the iPad.

The familiar sight of the Silicon Valley legend and industry icon is sure to cheer fans and investors, who had worried about the health of the charismatic company co-founder.

In the run-up to the event, there had been almost as much speculation about whether Jobs would appear as there was about the device itself. Jobs, who has been treated for a rare form of cancer, had been on indefinite medical leave for an undisclosed condition.

(Reporting by Gabriel Madway and Alexei Oreskovic; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)

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