The technology world has woken up today to the news that Steve Jobs, long time front runner at Apple who was behind the success of not only Apple as a brand but also the launch of the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad had died from cancer.
Coming only hours after the first major product launch since his official resignation as Apples Chief Executive, the already much debated iPhone 4s, Jobs will be a public figure that will be missed my Tech lovers and the general public alike.
News and technology websites around the world have commented on Jobs passing as have world leaders including Prime Minister David Cameron President Barrack Obama, emphasising the importance of a man known as a technology visionary and providing an insight into how he through his products have impacted nearly every person on the planets lives, be it through Apple or Picsar. Below are a few of the examples of memorials accross the tech world to Steve Jobs.
Apple.com has altered their homepage into an elegant photo tribute, which seems fitting to both Jobs and Apples aesthetic philosiphy, a black and white photo with Steve Jobs 1955-2011 next to it, the photo links to a message of dedication.
Google have also placed a simple dedication on their homepage, anyone visiting the Search Engine giant today will see their tribute just under the search field.
Bill Gates (founder of Apples competitor Microsoft if you dont know) has released a personal statement on the death of his long time professional rival (and most importantly friend);
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.
Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips.
Director Steven Spielberg
We’ve lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products. Steve fought a long battle against tough odds in a very brave way. He kept doing amazing things in the face of all that adversity. As someone who has had his own medical challenges, I couldn’t help but be encouraged by how he persevered.
Paul Allen,Microsoft co-founder
People sometimes have goals in life. Steve Jobs exceeded every goal he set himself.
Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-founder
An illustration of how websites with usergenerated content really cant be relied on was Wikipedia this morning, which already had been updated on Jobs passing however an image supposedly showing Apples tribute incorectly displaying a Google Doodle from a couple of weeks ago.
Where Apple go from here will be interesting, although Jobs legacy will undoubtly continue for many years under the control of those who have worked with him since the reinvention of the iMac in the late 90s.
Personally I will try to take on board a phrase Steve Jobs has been heard to say time and time again about Apple products, and in my opinion is something others miss the point of especially when trying to be creative
It just works
Steve Jobs (RIP)