A rumor report from a credible source washed in over the transom that offered an explanation as to why Mr. Jobs got so upset during the CNBC interview that he walked off the set. The source related the following rumor report: Mr. Jobs was/is allegedly planning to announce, prior to the end of Macworld Expo San Francisco that he was going to take the permanent position of CEO at Apple Computer (AAPL.O) and that he didn't want anyone to steal his thunder, as well as having denied it on the air in the CNBC interview only to have him proven less than forthcoming soon thereafter.
While this is possible, RFI has to assign this to "rumor status" even though the provenance of the source and their citations of potential future events is hard to impeach. We can't tell all that we were told but suffice it to say that it was credible enough for us to take seriously.
Whether this is true or not, it still does not excuse the behavior exhibited on CNBC. And if it is "true", then the best way for Mr. Jobs' and Apple to "make amends" would be to offer CNBC and Mr. Francis the "Exclusive" interview rights for any such announcement. What better way to mollify all of those Wall Streeters who took offense at the behavior.