In addition to the question about Jobs' health, Cook and chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer also fielded a query about Apple's decision to , with the questioner asking Apple to reconsider the move. "We have very fond memories" of Macworld Expo, Cook replied, but the COO echoed the tone of Apple's that with more than 250 retail store around the world, Apple has the equivalent of "many, many Macworlds each week." Cook added that Apple can call press conferences when it wants to get its message out, and said the decision had "nothing to do with Apple not liking Macworld [Expo]."

Several people spoke about the need for Apple to improve its commitment to environmental issues, and another shareholder bemoaned the fact that Apple doesn't offer a pro-level Web design application--senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller tackled that second issue, noting that Apple doesn't want to sell products for every niche the marketplace. "For the foreseeable future, [no pro Web design software is] the case," Schiller said.

There was also a taste of the loyalty that Apple fans are known for. One shareholder thanked Apple for its great products, wished Steve Jobs well, and then asked the audience to "stand and sing happy birthday to Steve," who . (Although not everyone stood, the crowd did sing to Jobs, and Cook promised he'd pass along the message).