The life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs changed the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Photo © Getty Images
Jobs was one of the 11 media people to watch in 2011. As the year started, Apple was prepared to make more product launches under his leadership. But soon, Jobs decided to take medical leave from the company, and by August resigned as CEO. While it became clear his health was failing, it's still a shock to know he's gone.
It's ironic that Jobs and partner Steve Wozniak released the Apple I computer on April Fool's Day, 1976. They were no fools, although at the time many Americans would've thought personal computers were nothing more than expensive toys. These advertisements for early Apple computers tried to convince people that PCs had a real use in their households.
How times have changed, thanks to Apple. But Jobs wasn't content with just putting monitors, keyboards and other computer equipment on desks worldwide.
Apple changed how people listen to music. We take for granted that you can stash the equivalent of a radio station's music library into your pocket. But the iPod has made hard copies of music -- albums, cassettes, cds -- obsolete, and allows people to carry along their favorite videos.
The iPad is now reshaping the computer landscape in ways we're only starting to discover. Jobs' vision was always to make information and communication more and more portable, but at the same time easier and more friendly to use. He was more than just a gadget guy, his ability to connect breakthrough technology to the everyday lives of regular people is what made him such an icon.
In these rare television interviews, we get a glimpse inside his mind and heart. He talks about his work with Pixar, his troubles with Apple in the 1990s, and how the Beatles helped inspire him.
Other companies have made their share of technologial contributions to our society and other computer whizzes are working on tomorrow's innovations at this very moment. But Jobs gave warmth to what would otherwise be cold electronic equipment, which set Apple apart from its competitors. His legacy will live on any time someone flips open an iPad, shuttles through music on an iPod or just gazes in amazement at the original Apple computer, which is in the Smithsonian.
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Steve Jobs contributions to the world of everything just boggles the mind. If not for him we would still have the big main framers of IBM and Burroughs, to name two, and NO personal computers of any kind because the Steves were the first and at the time the only visionaries who wanted to make information available to the masses at a cost the masses could afford. There “goodwill” marketing strategy was pure genious and has become a standard marketing ploy for the start ups and behemoths of business to this day. Moving right along (I still have my first MAC and a G3 and IPOD, et al) Steve Jobs envisioned and brought to fruition those things that were science fiction before he came to be. We laugh, talk and write around the world using what the god of all things brought to his mind, heart and hands. I will rejoice for his having been. So, really he will never, ever die.
”Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”
- President Obama
ABC news said it brilliantly Before Steve Jobs, digital music was math class. After, it was recess.
I completely agree and I hope his family is doing well – R.I.P Steve Jobs Your Brilliance Will Be Missed
Me impactò la noticia de la muerte de un hombre tan brillante, pero màs me impactò de la causa de su muerte. El cáncer, qué enfermedad tan desgraciada que no perdona a nadie. Mi hermana mayor murió de cáncer de huesos. Va a ser un mes. Odio esa enfermedad, desde ahora. Es terrible. Hay tratamiento de rayos y quimio, pero a la larga, el cancer nos vence.
Dearest Steve,
Though I come from Bandarawela, a rural township in Sri Lanka, I could develop precious contacts with a galaxy of brilliant men and women from a number of different advanced academic settings round the world, thanks to your invaluable innovations in the field of information technology. You widened my horizons in a gigantic way, and freed me from the hypocritical fetters of the academia here. May you attain Nibbana, the eternal bliss of emancipation!!!
With love and respect,
Gamini
A STAR
ON THE MILKY WAY
WAS WAITING TO BE NAMED
STEVE JOBS
The world has lost a rare gem. A computer advocate and a guru. No doubt his name will b written in gold. You have made your foot print on the sand of time. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Steve Jobs was a genius in the truest sense of the word. Can the world ever forget Steve, even when he is long dead and buried? He came, saw and left the world a better place. Steve Jobs, my mentor, may you find peace in the bosom of the Lord.
I came to know of Steve Jobs just yesterday, when I read about his passing away. I’ve often wondered about the genius behind the msny Apple products – when I use my ipod and when I see the many new gadgets that seem to come to the markets almost every 6 months. It always gives me a sense of wonder that God, in his own special way, made a remarkably brilliant person – a genius!!!!! Ithank the Lord for S Jobs life and for his enormous contribution to our universe – revolutionizing the media through and through – a GREAT JOB INDEED!!!!! R.I.P Steve Jobs