Steve Jobs passes away aged 56

We’re sad to report that Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, has passed away aged just 56. He leaves an incredible legacy and a range of products that truly changed the way that people think about technology.

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being,” said Apple on its Steve Jobs page.

The respect that Jobs garnered over his career can be seen in the tributes that have come flooding in, none more so than that by Bill Gates.

“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,” said Gates. “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 honor. I will miss Steve immensely.”

Steve Wozniak, Jobs’ childhood friend and co-founder of Apple, said in an interview with the Associated Press, “We’ve lost something we won’t get back.”

“The way I see it, though, the way people love products he put so much into creating means he brought a lot of life to the world.”

Apple was founded in 1976, building the first Apple computer, but both Jobs and Wozniak left in 1985. With Jobs it was due to a clash with John Sculley, CEO at the time. Jobs departure turned out to be the biggest mistake Apple could make and the company took a turn for the worse and was in trouble.

Returning in 1997, Jobs made a remarkable difference, turning round the ailing company with a range of products that people were incredibly excited about. The list of triumphs is huge and includes the colourful iMac all-in-one, the iPod and, of course, the iPhone.

Jobs also innovated elsewhere, buying Pixar for $10m in 1986 and turning it into the largest and most-respected digital animation company, producing hits such as, Toy Story and Up.

Jobs’ place in history is assured, and he was the first to show that technology wasn’t just for geeks, but something everyone should have. For the time being, our thoughts are with his wife, Laurene, and his four children.