Apple founder and former CEO Steve Jobs has touched all of our lives at one point or another, whether we’ve realized it or not. His impact on personal electronics and extraordinary effect on the tech industry throughout his career cannot be denied. His death will continue to dominate the internet as millions express their connections to Jobs and the very devices that his company created.
Here are the words from perhaps the people who knew him best, some of the tech industry’s finest, paying tribute to the technological genius.
Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft
“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.”
Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple
"We've lost something we won't get back," he said in an interview with The Associated Press following Jobs' death on Wednesday.
"The way I see it, though, the way people love products he put so much into creating means he brought a lot of life to the world."
Paul Allen, Co-founder of Microsoft
“My condolences to Steve Jobs’ family and friends. We’ve lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products.”
“Steve fought a long battle against tough odds in a very brave way. He kept doing amazing things in the face of all that adversity. As someone who has had his own medical challenges, I couldn’t help but be encouraged by how he persevered.”
Guy Kawasaki, Author of Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions and former Chief Evangelist of Apple.
“I truly do believe that if you look at all the CEOs over the history of business, I don't think there's a CEO who has done more for his employees, his shareholders, and his customers. The world is a lot worse off without Steve Jobs. May he rest in peace.”
“But wow what a job he did for everybody, personally for me, and many, many people who worked for the Macintosh division. And I think in many ways, for many of the people who use Apple products that these Apple products made them more creative, more productive and brought joy and enchantment to their lives.”
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook Founder and CEO
“Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”
Larry Page, CEO of Google
“Steve was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance,” said Larry Page, CEO of Google. “He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me.”