Steve Jobs, co-founder and charismatic CEO of Apple passed away last night at the age of 56, following a decade-long struggle with cancer.
Despite their rivalries on the business side of things, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have been great friends, so much so that once news of the Apple legend’s passing was announced, he immediately released this statement;
“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.”
Whatever your opinion on Apple products, Steve Jobs had the vision and drive to make his ideas happen.
“There’s nothing that makes my day more than getting an e-mail from some random person in the universe who just bought an iPad over in the UK and tells me the story about how it’s the coolest product they’ve ever brought home in their lives. That’s what keeps me going. It’s what kept me five years ago [when he was diagnosed with cancer], it’s what kept me going 10 years ago when the doors were almost closed. And it’s what will keep me going five years from now whatever happens.”
– Steve Jobs, AllThingsD Conference, 2010
I think Stephen Fry has put my mixed feelings about this wonderfully, on his blog;
Sadly have only found out today that Dennis Richie, creator of the C programming language died not days after Steve Jobs.
As reported by the BBC;