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Apple 'visionary' Steve Jobs dies Apple 'visionary' Steve Jobs dies
(40 minutes later)
   
Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, has died at the age of 56.Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, has died at the age of 56.
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".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".
Jobs announced he was suffering from pancreatic cancer in 2004.Jobs announced he was suffering from pancreatic cancer in 2004.
US President Barack Obama said that with his death, the world had "lost a visionary".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."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.
A statement from Mr Jobs's family said they were with him when he died peacefully on Wednesday.A statement from Mr Jobs's family said they were with him when he died peacefully on Wednesday.
"In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family," they said, requesting privacy and thanking those who had "shared their wishes and prayers" during his final year."In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family," they said, requesting privacy and thanking those who had "shared their wishes and prayers" during his final year.
Apple said the company had "lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being".Apple said the company had "lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being".
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. Tim Cook, who was made Apple's CEO after Mr Jobs stood down in August, said his predecessor had left behind "a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple".
"What he's done for us as a culture, it resonates uniquely in every person," said Cory Moll, an employee at an Apple shop in San Francisco. Flags are being flown at half mast outside the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, while fans of the company have left tributes outside Apple shops around the world.
"What he's done for us as a culture, it resonates uniquely in every person," said Cory Moll, an Apple employee in San Francisco.
"Even if they never use an Apple product, the impact they have had is so far-reaching.""Even if they never use an Apple product, the impact they have had is so far-reaching."
At the company's Shanghai shop, customer Jin Yi said Mr Jobs had created gadgets which had "changed people's perceptions of machines".At the company's Shanghai shop, customer Jin Yi said Mr Jobs had created gadgets which had "changed people's perceptions of machines".
Rivals' tributesRivals' tributes
The bosses of other leading technology companies have also paid tribute, including Microsoft boss Bill Gates, who said Jobs's "profound impact" on the world of technology would "be felt for many generations to come". The heads of other leading technology companies have also paid tribute, including Microsoft boss Bill Gates, who said Mr Jobs's "profound impact" on the world of technology would "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 honour. I will miss Steve immensely.""For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely."
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg thanks Mr Jobs for "showing that what you build can change the world" while Sony Corp president and CEO said: "The digital age has lost its leading light." Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg thanks Mr Jobs for "showing that what you build can change the world" while Sony Corp president and CEO Howard Stringer said: "The digital age has lost its leading light."
South Korea's Samsung, which is involved in an ongoing legal battle with Apple over patents, praised Jobs for his "numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry". South Korea's Samsung, which is involved in an ongoing legal battle with Apple over patents, praised Mr Jobs for his "numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry".
On the pavements outside the main Apple offices is a small, simple but very effective memorial to Steve Jobs - just like many of the products he designed.On the pavements outside the main Apple offices is a small, simple but very effective memorial to Steve Jobs - just like many of the products he designed.
"Jobs" - spelt out in small tea light candles alongside the Chinese symbol for Steve - and then the Apple logo. And inside the candlelit design, an iPad with Steve Jobs's photo on the screen."Jobs" - spelt out in small tea light candles alongside the Chinese symbol for Steve - and then the Apple logo. And inside the candlelit design, an iPad with Steve Jobs's photo on the screen.
Late into the night in America's Silicon Valley they are still arriving to take photos, lay candles and messages. One former employee described Steve Jobs as the John Lennon of technology. Another Taiwanese-born resident of Cupertino who has never bought an Apple product said he came down to pay respects to a man who changed the world.Late into the night in America's Silicon Valley they are still arriving to take photos, lay candles and messages. One former employee described Steve Jobs as the John Lennon of technology. Another Taiwanese-born resident of Cupertino who has never bought an Apple product said he came down to pay respects to a man who changed the world.
"His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world," chief executive officer Choi Gee-Sung. "His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world," said chief executive officer Choi Gee-Sung.
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". Mr Jobs built a reputation as a forthright and demanding leader who could take niche technologies - such as the mouse and graphical user interface, using onscreen icons rather than text - and make them popular with the general public.
Mr Jobs had built a reputation as a forthright and demanding leader who could take niche technologies - such as the mouse and graphical user interface, using onscreen icons rather than text - and make them popular with the general public.
He introduced the colourful iMac computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad to the world. His death came just a day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 4S model.He introduced the colourful iMac computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad to the world. His death came just a day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 4S model.
With a market value estimated at $351bn (£227bn), Apple is the world's most valuable technology company. With a market value estimated at $351bn (£227bn), Apple became the world's most valuable technology company.
'Face of Apple''Face of Apple'
More than almost any other business leader, Mr Jobs was indistinguishable from his company, which he co-founded in the 1970s.More than almost any other business leader, Mr Jobs was indistinguishable from his company, which he co-founded in the 1970s.
As the face of Apple, he represented its dedication to high-end technology and fashionable design.As the face of Apple, he 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.And inside the company he exerted a level of influence unheard of in most businesses.
In 2004, Mr Jobs announced that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. and he had a liver transplant five years later. In 2004, Mr Jobs announced that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. He had a liver transplant five years later.
In January, he took medical leave, before resigning as CEO in August and handing over his duties to Tim Cook. In January, he took medical leave, before resigning as CEO in August and handing over his duties to Mr Cook.
In his resignation letter, Mr Jobs said: "I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role."In his resignation letter, Mr Jobs said: "I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role."
However, Mr Jobs stayed on as Apple's chairman.However, Mr Jobs stayed on as Apple's chairman.
Despite a high profile, however, he remained fiercely protective of his private life. Despite his high profile, he remained fiercely protective of his private life.
He married his wife Laurene in 1991, and the couple had three children.He married his wife Laurene in 1991, and the couple had three children.
Mr Jobs also leaves a daughter from a previous relationship, and as an adult he discovered that he had a biological sister, US novelist Mona Simpson.Mr Jobs also leaves a daughter from a previous relationship, and as an adult he discovered that he had a biological sister, US novelist Mona Simpson.
Apple II, '77 Macintosh, '84 Newton, '87 iMac, '98 iPod, '01 iPhone, '07 iPad, '10

Apple II

Although this was not Apple's first home computer, the Apple II was the company's breakthrough product. Its MOS 6502 processor ran at 1MHZ and was supported by a maximum 48K RAM. Original retail price: $1298 (£780).

MACINTOSH

At a time when PCs were using text-based command line interfaces, Apple pioneered the use of moveable windows. The Macintosh's single integrated processor and monitor design is still used in the iMac line of computers.

NEWTON

Produced during Steve Jobs' period of absence from the company. The Newton organiser is now recognised as having paved the way for the iPhone. Slightly ahead of its time, the Newton was not hugely popular.

iMac

Steve Jobs marked his return to Apple with the iMac line of computers. Remembered more for their radical looks than technical specs, the iMac's multi-coloured shells were created by British designer Jonathan Ive.

iPod

MP3 players had been around for a couple of years. Apple simply refined their design with a compact, elegant and now iconic while package. The first model only had a 5GB hard drive - enough for 1,000 songs, according to Apple.

iPhone

Apple's entry into the mobile market had been long anticipated. Again, the company took existing technologies - such as the touch screen - refined them and added a touch of design flair. It sent shockwaves through the industry, still being felt today.

iPad

Steve Jobs revealed that development on the iPad started before work on the iPhone. It sparked a deluge of tablet products from almost every computer and mobile maker. But the iPad remains the top seller with around 60% market share.