DUSHANBE, October 6, 2011, Asia-Plus — Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, has died at the age of 56, the BBC reports.
In the statement Apple said his “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”.
A message on the Apple website says they have “lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being.”
US President Barack Obama said that with his death, the world had “lost a visionary.” “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,” said Mr. Obama.
Microsoft boss Bill Gates said Jobs” “profound impact” on the world of technology would “be felt for many generations to come.” Mr. Gates added: “For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it”s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.”
And New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that “America lost a genius who will be remembered with Edison and Einstein, and whose ideas will shape the world for generations to come.”
Flags are being flown at half mast outside the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, while fans of company have held vigils and left tributes outside Apple shops around the world.
Jobs had built a reputation as a forthright and demanding leader who could take niche technologies – such as the mouse and the graphical window-based interface – and make them popular with the general public.
He introduced the colorful iMac computer, the iPod and the iPhone to the world. His death came just a day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 4S model.
Apple – whose market value is estimated at US$351 billion – is now the world”s most valuable technology company. Only oil giant Exxon Mobil is worth more.
As the face of Apple, Jobs represented its dedication to high-end technology and fashionable design. And inside the company he exerted a level of influence unheard of in most businesses. Despite a high profile, however, he remained fiercely protective of his private life, the BBC said.
