M A I N   N E W S

A TRIBUTE
Steve Jobs
1955-2011
by Tom Lawrence

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died on Wednesday at the age of 56. The US technology company announced that its pioneering former chief executive, who gave the world the revolutionary iPhone and iPad devices, died yesterday surrounded by his family after battling pancreatic cancer.

He stepped down from his post as Apple’s chief executive in August, no longer able to handle the job due to his illness.

Today, tributes flooded in for the man who changed the way the world thinks about technology.

Bill Gates, founder of rival company Microsoft and a friend of Mr Jobs, said he would miss him “immensely”.

“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,” he added.

US President Barack Obama also paid tribute to Mr Jobs, saying “the world has lost a visionary”.

In a statement he 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.

“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.”

Lord Sugar remembered his Amstrad computer company competing with Mr Jobs in the 1980s.

He wrote on Twitter: “Gutted: Steve Jobs died.

“We started our computer biz at same time and were competitors thru 80’s. Great visionary. Sadly missed RIP.”

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page: “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.”

Apple said it was “deeply saddened” by the news.

A company spokesman said: “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.”

A statement released by Mr Jobs’ family said: “Steve died peacefully surrounded by his family.

“In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family.

“We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness.

“We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

The father-of-four started Apple Computer with school friend Steve Wozniak in his garage in 1976 but was forced out a decade later. He returned in the mid-1990s and transformed Apple into one of the world’s most powerful companies.

Just two months ago the frail-looking businessman resigned as the company’s chief executive due to his ill-health, but said he would continue to play a leadership role. He was replaced by Apple’s chief operating officer, Tim Cook, and took the role of chairman of the company’s board.

Mr Jobs, described by many as an industry oracle who revolutionised computing, survived pancreatic cancer in 2004 before receiving a liver transplant in 2009. He had taken three spells of leave over the past several years, most recently in January.

After quitting Apple in 1985, Mr Jobs went on to co-found Pixar Animation Studios, which has created some of the most successful animated films of all time including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo.

In 2006, he sold Pixar to The Walt Disney Company and secured a seat on the board.

He returned to Apple as an adviser in 1996 — the year it lost $ 900 million Microsoft Windows-based PCs dominated the computer market.

However, the tide started to turn following the hugely successful 1998 release of the iMac and Mr Jobs later became chief executive.

Apple’s popularity grew across the world throughout the past decade with the introduction of its sleek line of iPods, the iPhone and more recently the iPad.

Mr Cook said Apple had “lost a visionary and creative genius”. In an email circulated to staff, he said: “Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

“No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him.

“We will honour his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.”

Mr Jobs’ starring role in the Apple story won him adoration of fans from various backgrounds.

Social networking websites were swamped today as fans applauded Mr Jobs, whose death was “trending” on Twitter.

The writer and comedian Stephen Fry wrote: “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.”

Referring to the improved, updated versions of iPhones, comedian David Baddiel joked: “If only God was more like Apple, and could bring him back as Steve Jobs 2S.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine described Mr Jobs as an “utter genius” and “officially irreplaceable”.

Breakfast television presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Dan Lobb wrote: “I have a MacBook Pro, two iPods and an iPhone. Is my life more enhanced and more fun with them? A resounding yes! Sad to hear Steve Jobs has died.”

Simon Pegg, star of Shaun Of The Dead, wrote: “Very sad to hear about Steve Jobs. An innovator and trailblazer, whatever your tech tribe. Rest IP.”

Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe wrote: “Steve Jobs RIP. A man whose exceptional vision helped to greatly sharpen ours.” Journalist and author Tony Parsons put Mr Jobs’ death alongside John Lennon’s and Clash frontman Joe Strummer.

“The death of Steve Jobs recalls the grateful sadness felt when John Lennon and Joe Strummer died. One dreaming man truly can change the world.”

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Sons, the global business group, paid tribute to Mr Jobs. “Steve Jobs has been one of the greatest icons of the modern era,” he said. “His untimely death is a huge loss to us all. His creativity, innovativeness and unbelievable attention to detail in every single area, gave the world the early personal computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad which have perhaps brought about the greatest change in the way people wirelessly listen to music, view visual images, exchange data and communicate.

“He has changed the way of life of many. Apple’s products, under his leadership, have had a profound impact on mankind, unequalled by any other company in the information and technology space.

“The world has lost a great business leader and a great visionary. He will be deeply mourned and greatly missed.”

— The Independent