AP: Steve Jobs Has (Sadly) Passed Away – [CONFIRMED]

In a tweet just published by the Associated Press, the news organization claims that Apple has issued a statement noting the unfortunate passing of former Apple CEO and visionary, Steve Jobs.

We wish Steve’s family the best at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

[Update] – Apple has just confirmed that Steve Jobs has died. If you would like to send your heart-felt thoughts, memories and condolences to Jobs’ family, please do so at rememberingsteve@apple.com.

[Update 2] – Statement from Apple’s Board of Directors – (via MacWorld)

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. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

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.

[Update 3] – Steve “died peacefully [Wednesday] surrounded by his family,” a statement from Jobs’ family read.

“In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family,” the family’s statement read. “We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.” The family also asked that the public “respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

“No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a letter to Apple employees. “We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.”

[Update 4] – The L.A Times has posted a statement from Apple CEO, Tim Cook.

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim

[Update 5] – Statement from Bill Gates via TheGuradian.

Bill Gates, the former chief executive of Microsoft, said in a statement that he was “truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’s death”. He added: “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.

[Update 6] – A statement from The President Of The United States.

“Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. 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.

By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.”

[Update 7] Kind thoughts and words from Steve’s close friend, Walt Mossberg.

That Steve Jobs was a genius, a giant influence on multiple industries and billions of lives, has been written many times since he retired as Apple’s CEO in August. He was a historical figure on the scale of a Thomas Edison or Henry Ford, and set the mold for many other corporate leaders in many other industries.

He did what a CEO should: hired and inspired great people; managed for the long term, not the quarter or the short-term stock price; made big bets and took big risks. He insisted on the highest product quality and on building things to delight and empower actual users, not intermediaries like corporate IT directors or wireless carriers. And he could sell. Man, he could sell.
As he liked to say, he lived at the intersection of technology and liberal arts.