Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died last night after a two-year battle with cancer. — He was 56. The news came just a day after his successor, Tim Cook, hosted his first product announcement, unveiling the iPhone 4S.
In an e-mail to Apple's employees, Cook said Apple "has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being." Most of the time, such words have a hollow ring, but no one who's followed technology and consumer products can argue with the impact Steve Jobs had on computing, communications, design, and using technology in ways that affected not only how people worked, but how they lived. Last night, as word of his passing spread, plaudits came in from all quarters. "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," said Microsoft's founder Bill Gates, at one time Jobs' arch-rival. "For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it?s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."
Apple now faces a huge challenge. When Jobs stepped down, analysts pointed out that the iPod, iPhone and iPad weren?t simply the products of one man's efforts. This is true. But Jobs wasn't just a visionary. He was an advocate who pushed technology to provide products that were simple, consistent, and fit neatly into the lives of consumers. People like him come along once in a generation. Apple has his legacy to build on, but now they have to do it on their own. It's not a small task, but Jobs was smart enough to develop executive bench strength and a strong culture of innovation. As Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg said: "This is a tremendous loss of an icon for the tech community, but it?s not the time to dismiss Apple."
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