The details are pretty nonexistent right now but AP is reporting that Apple founder Steve Jobs has died. The news first broke on Twitter but so far no real details have been released. UPDATE: ABC News now has a bit more information about Jobs‘s passing, click below to read more.
Steve Jobs, the mastermind behind Apple’s iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac and iTunes, has died in California. Jobs was 56. The homepage of Apple’s website contained a full-page image of Jobs with the text, “Steve Jobs 1955-2011.” Jobs co-founded Apple Computer in 1976 and, with his childhood friend Steve Wozniak, marketed what was considered the world’s first personal computer, the Apple II. Industry watchers called him a master innovator — perhaps on a par with Thomas Edison — changing the worlds of computing, recorded music and communications. In 2004, he beat back an unusual form of pancreatic cancer, and in 2009 he was forced to get a liver transplant. After several years of failing health, Jobs announced on Aug. 24, 2011 that he was stepping down as Apple’s chief executive. “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,” Jobs wrote in his letter of resignation. “Unfortunately, that day has come.” One of the world’s most famous CEOs, Jobs remained stubbornly private about his personal life, refusing interviews and shielding his wife and their children from public view.
Man. This is like a punch in the gut. I think many people feared the worst when we learned back in August that Steve was resigning as Apple CEO. Because of his staunch privacy, we didn’t know for sure why he stepped down. Clearly his health was the cause. I can’t EVEN begin to wrap my head around how much of an impact Jobs has had on our modern lives. He changed the world. LITERALLY CHANGED THE WORLD. I think it goes without saying that he will be remembered for all time … and he will surely go down in History as one of the greatest creative minds of our time. My deepest condolences go out to the Jobs family. This is just really sad news. Rest well, Steve. You will be sorely missed.
UPDATE 2: Apple has updated their website with this message:
Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. 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. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com
UPDATE 3: Here is the full text of the email memo that current Apple CEO Tim Cook sent to Apple employees today concerning Jobs‘s passing:
Team,
I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today. Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. 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. We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com. No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.
Tim
Sad, sad day ;(
just read about it..cant believe he was only 56. very sad. r.i.p
I really can’t believe it. He was so young! We lost a true visionary today. His products are a part of what makes my life so great, and probably the reason why I’m so interested in technology now. Sad to see him go.
Could not have said it better myself. He did change the world…whether people were a fan of Apple products or not, they can’t say he didn’t create a legacy of fun, cool gadgets that people use on a daily basis. (And that other companies try and replicate).
That is so sad! Thanks for all you gave us Steve…
OMG. I can’t believe it and just after the iphone 4s was announce to. The world is going to miss Steve Jobs brilliance and vision. I was hopping Steve would beat the cancer thing and one day come back as the head of Apple. But this has not come to be.
I totally agree with you Trent. This is like a punch in the gut. He will be sorely missed
I’m really shocked. It’s amazing one man could do so much. RIP.
So, so sad. He made such an impact on the world. Such genius. Can’t believe he’s gone.
fuck cancer. a sad sad day.
We’re a mess at Apple. I’m just glad he got to see the fruits of his labor, taking a nearly dead company and not only breathing new life into it, but making it one of the most successful and innovative companies the world has known. Not only did he make our electronic tools easy to use, he forced the rest industry to rethink how those tools looked (translucent plastic, anyone?)
R.I.P and thank you for everything.
Far too young!
This is very sad news…RIP! and GOD Bless…
Oh wow. I’ll be honest, I had no clue who Steve Jobs was Until I read this. This is sad news for many. He achieved a lot before his passing and I’m sure his name will be well known and he will be admired for a long time.
RIP and my condolences to his family and friends.
RIP. I never knew him nor do I know that much about him, but just from the news and blogs that I frequent, I know I will miss seeing his name and his work.
Unbelievably sad. Cancer just fucking sucks. So much. He was far too young. He truly changed the world in amazing ways and he will be remembered forever. He was a true inspiration. May he rest in peace.
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs
You’re right Trent. It completely felt like a punch in the gut when I first read it. Gone too soon.
Cancer sucks. Its scary that even if you have all the money, fame or fortune in the world sometimes you can’t beat it. He was an amazing visionary and we will all miss him
iSad. iHellaSad.
Poor guy hOw super sad :-(
What a loss this is…RIP Steve.
It is amazing how much he has changed our world. Very sad.
My iPod felt weird this morning. Waking up to such news, I felt like something punched me in the stomach. Thanks for everything, Steve.
F*ck cancer!!
So VERY sad :(
Side note – is it just me or does he look alot like Ashton Kutcher in his earlier days? Hmmmm… I smell a biopic with Ashton as the lead role. Mark my words.
F U Cancer!!
I thought the same thing about Ashton Kutcher!!
RIP, Mr. Jobs. Way to change the world and connect people in ways they never dreamed.
RIP Steve Jobs. You have changed the world for the better