Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, has died at the age of 56, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jobs will be remembered as a true digital pioneer, who had a knack for taking niche technologies- such as the mouse and the graphical window-based interface – and making them popular with the masses.
He launched Apple with school friend Steve Wozniak in 1976, bringing out the first Apple computer the same year. He left Apple amid disputes in 1985 but returned in 1996 and became CEO in 1997.
During his time at Apple, Jobs can be credited for introducing the colourful iMac computer, the iPod, iPhone and iPad to the world. He also bought bought the Pixar animation company in 1986 for $10m.
Apple’s market value is now estimated at $351bn (£227bn), making it the world’s most valuable technology company. Only oil giant Exxon Mobil is worth more.
His death came just a day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 4S model.
Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and after three periods of sickness leave, resigned as Apple CEO in August 2011, handing over his duties to Tim Cook.
In his resignation letter, Jobs said: “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.”
In a statement, Apple said his “brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve”.
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama said that with his death, the world had “lost a visionary”, adding: “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.”.
Microsoft boss Bill Gates said Jobs’ “profound impact” on the world of technology would “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.”
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that “America lost a genius who will be remembered with Edison and Einstein, and whose ideas will shape the world for generations to come”.
