Outpourings of grief came from all corners of the technology world on Wednesday after Apple Computer announced that its co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs had died of cancer at the age of 56.
Apple’s Web page paid tribute to Jobs on Wednesday, as tributes poured in from across the world. Of note: Bill Gates, Chairman and former CEO of Microsoft – and Jobs longtime rival – issued a statement expressing his condolences to Jobs family and friends.
“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,” Gates wrote.
Sergey Brin, cofounder of Google, expressed condolences on behalf of Google. “From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met,” he wrote.
Jobs, who has been battling cancer since 2003, stepped down as CEO in August, citing the difficulty of continuing in that position as he struggled with illness.
