Apple's long-time front man and co-founder Steve Jobs has died. He was 56 years-old.
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," Apple said in a statement today. "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."
Often referred to as the "father of the computer revolution," Jobs and Apple were so intertwined that Apple Acolytes considered him the heart of the company. Indeed, Jobs stuck with Apple over the years, even when it was on the verge of bankruptcy. His steadfastness and belief in Apple's brand proved to be why the company is worth billions of dollars today.
Jobs' legacy includes the Apple II, Macintosh, iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. In April 1976, he, along with Steve Wozniak, launched Apple Computer out of Jobs' parents' garage, reproducing a circuit board designed by Wozinak as their first product. The rest, as they say, is history.
Apple fans may be shocked by Jobs' death but it was not an unexpected event. He has been battling cancer for years, and took a medical leave from Apple in January. In August he stepped down as chief executive because he could "no longer meet (his) duties and expectations." Many had hoped that he would be around to advise the board and the company's new chief executive officer.
We offer our sincerest condolences to the friends, family and fans of Steve Jobs.
Source: LA Times
Comments
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Much as I hope Steve is resting in peace...
... It really does piss me off that Apple thinks he made the world "immeasurably better".
No...
Norman Borlaug made the world "immeasurably better", and nobody gave him a fucking fanfare when he passed away in '09.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Actually, Steve Jobs did make the world better in many ways. He was a hero of sort.
Did Norman Borlaug made the world a better place? 10x times f**k yeah! That was a SUPER hero. One of the greatest figure of all History. But let's not belittle one man to raise another. A giant can be looked as a goal to reach without forgetting that there's a titan towering you both.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Rest in Peace. No matter whether you likes the guy or not, he did much to advance human technology.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
*sigh*
I am assuming people mean well, but I think we can do without the 'I don't like Apple but....' type comments. If you have something nice to say, say something nice. Going out of your way to remind people where you stand on an existing religious war has a rather slimy, opportunistic, backhanded feel to it.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
What about the "I don't like cancer but..." statements?
Seriously, he was an awesome guy. The Edison of the 21st century. iRIP.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Heh. I have no bone to pick with those ^_^
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Good. I don't like cancer either. Lost way too many relatives to it, and now a techno-legend.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
This god damned cancer is taking our Jobs
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
I completely agree. Though most of Apple's technological innovations were the work of the Great Woz and his fellow engineers, Jobs' acumen as a salesman and cutthroat businessman did just as much to gain the consumer's loyalty and/or dependency.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Yeah, just as, if not more important. I'd argue that effective marketing is the only reason Apple even survived into the 21st century, let alone thrived.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
*nods* many great devices and companies developed by engineers have failed due to inability to design the whole package or market the product. As much as our marketing department kinda depressed me, I always tried to keep in mind that without the and the people who steered the high level product, people wouldn't even know our games existed, much less have them fit so neatly into their niche.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
As much as I don't like Apples products. I have to hand it to Steve for his contributions in popularizing GUIs, digital media distribution and for making an impressive comeback with the Mac OSX Operating System. Seeing his smile in the video where he revealed the Macintosh in 1984 to the roaring cheers of the audience, makes me think that he realized right there, at that point in time, that he had made history.
RIP Steve.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
I am also not much a fan of Apple, but I will give credit and respect where it's due. Rest in peace, Steve, gods know you've more than earned it. Because of you, the world is better than it would have been without you.
Atlanta Video Games Examiner for examiner.com
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
Rest in peace, Steve.
I'm not a huge fan of Apple or many of their practices, but that man was quite influential and a master of branding. I remain curious if there's going to be a relapse (perhaps permanently) of his previous departure, where Apple was visionless, or if he managed to actually provide enough direction and install wise people before he stepped down. There is no takebacks this time, so we shall see.
Re: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies
I'll say the same thing I always say when something like this happens. FUCK CANCER. Don't much care if someone censors me.