Former chief executive and co-founder of World’s technology giant Apple Steve Jobs has died of cancer at 56.

Steve Jobs’ death Wednesday triggered an outpouring of emotion around the globe, as admirers from all over the world, be it users of Apple products or not, paid tribute to the man who helped shape the digital age one way or the other.

Apple said upon the loss of their visionary mentor : “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 and his innovation”

Apple users can be an intense lot, feeling strongly that their company’s products are better than those made by anyone else. And much of that loyalty is directly linked to its co-founder, Steve Jobs, who died Wednesday at the age of 56.

Steve Jobs lost the battle against the cancer. He announced he was suffering from pancreatic cancer in 2004. In January this year, he took medical leave, before resigning as Apple CEO in August and handing over his chair to Tim Cook. In his resignation letter, Steve Jobs said: “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in my new role.” Steve Jobs stayed on as Apple’s chairman.

CEOs and World leader pay tribute to Steve Jobs

Microsoft boss Bill Gates said Jobs’ “profound impact” would ” be felt for many generations to come”. “For those of us lucky enough to get to work with Steve Jobs, it’s been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely.”, the Microsoft CEO added.

US President Barack Obama also paid tribute via Twitter: “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…. The world has lost a visionary.”

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg called Steve Jobs “a mentor and a friend,” thanking him on Facebook “for showing that what you build can change the world. … I’ll miss you,” Mark Zuckerberg announced.

‘The face of Apple’ Steve Jobs, the visionary

In the statement Apple said: “Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being”. “Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.”

Jobs had built a reputation as a forthright and demanding leader who could take niche technologies – such as the mouse and the graphical window-based interface – and make them popular with the general public. He introduced the colourful iMac computer, the iPod and the iPhone to the world. His death came just a day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 4S model.

Apple’s Existence and Significance for the Media

What if Apple didn’t exist? Think about it. Time wouldn’t get published next week. Some 70% of the newspapers in the U.S. wouldn’t publish tomorrow morning. Some 60% of the kids wouldn’t have computers; 64% of the teachers wouldn’t have computers. More than half the Websites created on Macs wouldn’t exist. So there’s something worth saving here.

Apple – whose market value is estimated at $351bn (£227bn) – is now the world’s most valuable technology firm, competing only with oil giant Exxon Mobil for the spot.

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