Steve Jobs died today, he was 56-years-old. Following his death several of tech’s biggest names sent out their condolences including some of Jobs’ biggest competitors.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote:
“Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend,” and “Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”
While Microsoft founder Bill Gates released the following statement:
“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,” writes the former Microsoft CEO. “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.”
Also chiming in on the brilliance of Jobs was Google co-founder Larry Page who wrote:
“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.”
In an almost perfectly fitting goodbye to himself Jobs said in 2005:
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”
While Steve Jobs may have passed away his spirit lives on in the minds and hearts of the world’s biggest tech titans, of course Steve would likely be more interested in seeing what technologies come next over what people thought of him, that was always the Steve Jobs way.
