Apple Founder Steve Jobs, Dies At 56

US computer entrepreneur, inventor and founder of electronics multinational corporation Apple Inc., Steve Jobs is dead. Jobs who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his pancreas back in 2004 passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at the age of 56 years.
On August 24, 2011 Steve Jobs announced his resignation as C.E.O of Apple due to health reasons. He stated in his resignation letter that he could no longer ‘meet his duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO’. He strongly recommended the Apple executive succession plan be followed and Tim Cook be named as his successor.
In the late 70’s Jobs along with Apple co-founders Steve Wozniak, Mike Markkula, and a few others created the first set of commercially viable computers called the Apple II series which finally led to the creation of the Macintosh popularly called MAC.
Job’s death hasn’t come as a rude shock but everyone seems to be quite solemn. Popular and influential figures have shared their grief on Jobs death;
Co-computer developer and stiff competitor Bill Gates released a statement this morning. ‘I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely’, Gates said.
An excerpt from President Barack Obama‘s statement reads:
Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page: ‘Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.
Movie director Steven Spielberg said: ‘Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips’.
In a space of three decades, Jobs with Apple have created over 300 products including the popular, Mac Book, Apple TV and the ‘i Series’ such as iPod, iPad, iPhone, iBook, iMac and more.