"Without Steve Jobs Apple would still be only a fruit."
--------------Xorro
APPLE genius Steve Jobs died last night after a long battle with cancer.
The computer pioneer, 56, had recently looked incredibly frail after a fight with the illness.
US President Barack Obama paid tribute to the man who "exemplified the spirit
of American ingenuity".
He said: "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."
Jobs resigned as the company's chief exec in August after being on medical
leave since January 17 for an undisclosed condition.
The unveiling of the iPhone 4S on Tuesday was the first time he had not been
at a key product launch.
Jobs died as Walt Disney Co.'s largest shareholder after he sold Toy Story
makers Pixar to them.
Comparisons were drawn between Jobs and some of history's most celebrated
minds.
Movie director Steven Spielberg, one of the founders of Pixar rival DreamWorks
Animation, said: "Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison.
He put the world at our fingertips."
Daniel Ek, the founder of digital music service Spotify, said: "My hat off to
our time's Da Vinci."
Remembered ... Apple homepage after Jobs's death was announced
The CEO Jobs hand-picked to replace him, Tim Cook, addressed Apple staff in an
email.
He wrote: "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with
Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor.
"Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit
will forever be the foundation of Apple."
Grieving Apple devotees left floral and written tributes outside his home in
Palo Alto, California.
He died peacefully with his family by his side.
A spokesman for Apple said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve
Jobs passed away today.
The face of Apple ... Steve Jobs
"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.
Innovator ... Steve Jobs posing with an Apple II computer
"Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary
gifts."
Jobs co-founded Apple in a garage in 1976 and after resigning as chief exec
this year stayed on as chairman.
He battled pancreatic cancer in 2004 and had to have a liver transplant in
2007.
COMPUTER pioneer has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
His chief exec resignation letter in August was given an added poignancy after
his death.
He said: "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no
longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first
to let you know."
"Unfortunately, that day has come.
"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.
"I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank
you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you."
Jobs has been behind some of technology's most revolutionary creations.
He transformed the music industry when the iPod was introduced on October 23,
2001.
Six years later he revitalised the mobile market with the first iPhone on
January 9, 2007.
And on January 27, 2010, the iPad was announced, changing the portable
computer world forever.
In August this year Apple became the world's most valuable company for the
first time.
In a survey last month Jobs was said to be worth $7BILLION - or £4.5BILLION.
Celebrities paid tribute to the computing legend online on Twitter.
Jonathan Ross said: "RIP Steve Jobs. You changed the world. Sad day."
Arnold Schwarzenegger added: "Steve lived the California Dream every day of
his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us."
Lord Alan Sugar remembered his Amstrad computer company competing with Jobs in
the 1980s.
He wrote: "Gutted: Steve Jobs died.
Creations ... the iPod, an old Mac and iPhone
"We started our computer biz at same time and were competitors thru 80's.
Great visionary. Sadly missed RIP."
Kim Kardashian said: "Steve Jobs died. He was a brilliant man."
Stephen Fry said: "Woke to the news of Steve Jobs's death. He changed the
world. I knew him a little and admired him entirely. Love to Apple and his
family."
Revolutionary ... Steve Jobs shows off an iMac computer and a NeXTstation
Alexandra Burke said: "So sad to hear that Steve Jobs has passed away.
"What a genius. He is with the angels now. May he rest in perfect peace."
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also expressed his condolences saying that it
had "been an insanely great honour" to work with his long-time rival.
Pioneer ... Steve Jobs and a NeXTstation computer
Mr Gates said: "I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death.
"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."
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Larry Page, also spoke of
Jobs' passing.
Mr Zuckerberg said: "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"
Mr Page said: "He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing
brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you
actually should have been thinking before you thought it.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin added: "Steve, your passion for excellence is
felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product. On behalf of all of us
at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much."
RIP Steve Jobs. We WILL MISS YOU. :'(
