Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and the man who brought us the iPod and iTunes, had passed away at 56 after a very public battle with pancreatic cancer. Apple has already set up a memorial site in their founders honour.
It was only a little over a month ago that Jobs left his job at Apple, saying at the time, “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. Unfortunately, that day has come.”
As CEO, Jobs oversaw the introduction of the first successful MP3 player, the iPod, back in 2001. Since then over 300 million of the devices have been sold spurning a music revolution that saw Apple’s music store iTunes also rise to become the largest single retailer of music in the world. As of October 4, 2011, the store had sold its 16 billionth song.
Amongst his other distinguished achievements Jobs acquired Pixar from Lucasfilm in 1987 turning it into a film studio responsible for billions in ticket receipts at the cinema. He later sold Pixar to The Walt Disney Company in 2006 making him the single largest Disney shareholder.
A statement by Apple’s Board Of Directors on news of his passing reads:
We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away 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. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.
