As you’ve no doubt already heard, Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, chairman and former CEO of Apple has passed away at the age of 56. There’s no doubt that we’ve lost somebody incredibly important and special who influenced more than just the gadgets that sit on our desktops, our laps and in our pockets.
After initially leaving Apple in 1985, Steve’s return in 1997 and Apple’s subsequent rise thereafter has been well documented. As well as spearheading the rise of digital music with the launch of iTunes and the iPod, Apple turned the mobile phone industry on its head with the first iPhone in 2007 and a year later with the App Store. Steve Jobs was an incredible person and we miss him.
Here are some other tributes, thoughts and comments on news of Steve Jobs’ passing.
Bill Gates, former CEO and chairman of Microsoft:
“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 honor. I will miss Steve immensely” via The Gates Notes.
Barack Obama, President of the United States:
“Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. 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.
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. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him” via The White House Blog.
Stephen Fry, who’d previously said that Jobs had “changed the cultural landscape” when talking about his resignation said via Twitter that he ‘knew him a little and admired him entirely’ before declining any further requests for a comment.
Bob Iger, president and CEO of Disney: “Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an “original,” with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.”
Steven Spielberg, director and co-founder of Pixar rival DreamWorks Animation: “Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips” via Mashable
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