Steve Jobs dies

After a long battle against cancer, Steve Jobs has died at the age of 56. Tributes from technology, business and political leaders alike have flooded Twitter, the Internet and the traditional press as the world mourns the loss of one of the most innovative, influential figures of our times.

Until recently, Steve Jobs had held the post of CEO at Apple; credited for the launch of the meteoric success of the iPhone and iPad. His ongoing health issues saw Jobs officially step down from his role as CEO last month, moving into the role of Chairman of the Board.

The origins of the Apple brand can be traced back to the 1970s, when Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and a number of other computer engineers and innovators created the Apple II series of personal computers. Steve Jobs resigned from Apple in 1985, only to be brought back to the team in 1996 when Apple bought NeXT, the technology company Jobs founded after his departure. From that point, Steve Jobs set about revolutionising the way each of us consumes music, film and the Internet. The success of the iPod in 2001, lead to a series of universally acclaimed 'i' products, including iTunes, iPhone, iPad and iCloud.

In an official statement from Apple, his friends and colleagues paid this tribute: "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives … The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

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