Apple innovator Steve Jobs has died in California one day after the disappointing iPhone 4S was unveiled. He was 56 years old.
Apple announced Steve’s passing in a statement:
“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,” Apple said in a statement.
“The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.”
Jobs is survived by his wife Laurene and their four children.
“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,” concluded Apple’s statement.
Recent Health & Retirement
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| A youthful Steve Jobs |
In 2004, jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of Pancreatic cancer, and despite the grim prognosis he made an against-the-odds recovery and returned to duty.
After Keynote speeches where Jobs looked ‘gaunt’ and lacked his typical enthusiasm, the media embarked on a foray of claims that Jobs’ health was poor.
Although contesting the claims for a couple of years, in 2009 Jobs penned in an internal memo saying: “[I have] learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.” Subsequently, Jobs took a six month medical leave and underwent a liver transplant.
A year and a half later Jobs announced a third medical leave “so he could focus on his health.” Instead of returning to the company he founded he stepped down as Apple’s CEO, on the 24th of August, 2011.
In his letter of resignation, he modestly said:
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.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
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.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve
Unprecedented Vision
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| Steve Jobs announcing Apple’s iPhone |
It was a philosophy evident in his string of industry changing products, beginning with the iPod, continuing with the company’s successful iPhone, and most recently, the iPad.
Characterised by elegant aesthetics and exceptional build quality, the i-range of products released under Jobs’ detailed eye catapulted Apple forward as a staple company in the technology industry, and a leader in innovation.
Jobs’ legacy breached the limits of the professional world, pioneering a new way of delivering multimedia content through his Apple iTunes and App stores. The iTunes store was pivotal in changing how people listened to their music, propelling the shift from CD to digital MP3 in a legal and lucrative fashion.
Today, the Apple App store is home to over 450,000 applications and transforms Apple’s mediocre iPhone into arguably the world’s most versatile device.
Most recently, Jobs’ iPad has shifted the ridged structural framework of the PC industry, introducing a portable solution to multimedia and professional tasks. Even without the App store, the iPad is an extraordinary tablet, featuring unparalleled performance, design and popularity.
Jobs and His Beloved Apple
Steve Jobs co-founded Apple at the age of 21 and was kicked out by board members in 1985. 12 years later when he returned to the company, it was 90 days away from bankruptcy, running US$1.86 billion in losses in two years.
Returning on the 16th of September 1997, Apple shares were just $US 5.48 according to the SMH. Today, the going price for Apple shares is $378.25. Since his return the once struggling company has ‘transformed,’ not only itself but the industry it leads.
Nowadays, the company that was inches away from financial death competes daily to be the most valuable company in the world.
Apple’s meteoric rise to prominence is the result Jobs’ stringent software and hardware integration practices, innovating designs and enthusiasm to break into new markets, such as mp3s, mobile phones and now tablets.
The company’s iPhone is currently its best-selling product, also dominating the smartphone industry with over 20.3 million sales last quarter. The result made Apple the largest smartphone maker in the world.
As it stands, Apple is dominating electronics, eclipsing IBM, Microsoft and Intel.
