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Apple ‘visionary’ Steve Jobs dies

Posted 6th October 2011 by Ben     Email article      Share article

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being.

On Wednesday October 5^th 2011, Apple released a press statement reading, “We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s 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.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.”

Many technology experts, industry peers and other admirers have been quick to add their own tributes, including President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Bob Iger and Larry Page.

Tributes

President Obama said “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.”

“The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.”

Bill Gates added “For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely.“

Health

Steve Jobs had stepped down as Apple CEO in August 2011 following health concerns and to spend more time with his family.  He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 and had to take several leaves of absence for operations.  In April 2009, Jobs underwent a liver transplant and was granted a leave of absence to “focus on his health”.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took over, whilst Jobs was still involved making major decisions in the company.

In Mr Job’s resignation letter in August, he wrote that he could “no longer meet his duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO”.

On October 5, 2011, Jobs’ family made a statement that he “died peacefully today”

Legacy

Mr Jobs had built a reputation as a forthright and demanding leader who could take niche technologies – such as the mouse and graphical user interface, using onscreen icons rather than text – and make them popular with the general public.

He introduced the colourful iMac computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad to the world. His death came just a day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 4S model.

With a market value estimated at $351bn (£227bn), Apple is the world’s most valuable technology company.

Life (from BBC News)

• Born in San Francisco in Feb 1955 to students Joanne Schieble and Syrian-born Abdulfattah Jandali – adopted by a Californian working class couple
• Had a summer job at Hewlett-Packard while at school – later worked at Atari
• Dropped out of college after six months and went travelling in India, where he became a Buddhist
• Launched Apple with school friend Steve Wozniak in 1976 – first Apple computer sold the same year
• Left Apple amid disputes in 1985 but returned in 1996 and became CEO in 1997
• Bought Pixar animation company in 1986 for $10m
• Married in a Buddhist ceremony in 1991 – has three children with his wife and a daughter from a previous relationship
• Had a personal wealth estimated at $8.3bn (£5.4bn) in 2010
• Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and after three periods of sickness leave, resigns as Apple CEO in August 2011

In an interview with Wall Street Journal in 1993 jobs stated, “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me… Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

Here’s to the Crazy Ones (Narrated by Steve Jobs)

On behalf of the team at Media Lightbox, we would like to send our condolences to Steve’s family, friends and everyone at Apple, currently mourning the loss of one of the greatest visionaries to have ever walked the earth.

Rest in Peace Steve, we will miss you.