(CNET)    Apple Co-founder and Chairman Steve Jobs died today.  He was 56.

Steve Jobs had been suffering for many years a long hard battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer.  Apple announced in January  that he would be taking an indeterminate medical leave of absence. Jobs then stepped  down as chief executive in late August, citing his inability to “meet my duties and expectations” stemming from his illness.

Jobs started Apple with a high school friend in a  Silicon Valley garage in 1976, was forced out a decade later and returned in  1997 to rescue the company. During his second stint, it grew into the most  valuable technology company in the world with a market value of $351 billion.  Almost all that wealth has been created since Jobs’ return.

He was the reason many of us got into this industry, or even care about technology at all. He made the computer personal, and the smartphone fun. Bill Gates may have put a computer on every office desk, but it was Steve Jobs who put one in every dorm room and bedroom and living room. And then, years later, he repeated the trick, putting one in every bag and every pocket, thanks to the iPad and iPhone. If you use a computer or smartphone today, it is either one he created, or an imitation of his genius.

He changed the way movies are made, the way music is sold, the way stories are told, the very way we interact with the world around us. He helped us work, and gave us new ways to play. He was a myth made man.

Cultivating Apple’s countercultural sensibility and  a minimalist design ethic, Jobs rolled out one sensational product after  another, even in the face of the late-2000s recession and his own failing  health.

He helped change computers from a geeky hobbyist’s  obsession to a necessity of modern life at work and home, and in the process he  upended not just personal technology but the cellphone and music industries.

One of my more favorite Steve Jobs quotes was, “We used to dream about this stuff. Now we get to build it. It’s pretty great.” taken at the Keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference (June 2004). Steve helped us believe if you can dream it, it can come true. Steve Jobs was a true invetor and a pioneer of our times.

Goodbye, Mr. Jobs. We will miss you so very much.

Photos: The life of Steve Jobs

From Apple’s site if  you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

In my years of writing I have yet to see a day that makes me go WOW! Did that just happen. But today while opening the Internet became reality.

Steve Jobs effective immediately is no longer CEO. He resigned today for unknown reasons, although with his medical situations of late it would appear that that may be the primary reason. With a personal letter to Apple Board asking to execute the succession plan and announce Tim Cook as CEO.  They quickly voted him Chairman of the Board, however, so he can still help direct how the company operates without the heavy burden and long hours of being CEO.

Click here for the new brief from MSN.

Here is the resignation letter he gave to the board:

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

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 a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

How do you think this will help or hurt the company? Do you think this will impact their idea’s marketing and overall devices? Let me know below PPCGeeks.

[UPDATE]

Tim Cook (new CEO of Apple) has released the following email to Apple employees assuring them that nothing is going to chage:

“Team:

I am looking forward to the amazing opportunity of serving as CEO of the most innovative company in the world. Joining Apple was the best decision I’ve ever made and it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to work for Apple and Steve for over 13 years. I share Steve’s optimism for Apple’s bright future.

Steve has been an incredible leader and mentor to me, as well as to the entire executive team and our amazing employees. We are really looking forward to Steve’s ongoing guidance and inspiration as our Chairman.

I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple’s unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that—it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

I love Apple and I am looking forward to diving into my new role. All of the incredible support from the Board, the executive team and many of you has been inspiring. I am confident our best years lie ahead of us and that together we will continue to make Apple the magical place that it is.

Tim“

The exact nature of iCloud is currently unknown, but I’m betting we will see a significant refresh of MobileMe with new backup and other features right to the cloud. That’s also expected to include is an online media cloud service which will mirrior local stores of music and allow them to be accessed while on the move…

Now with the iCloud being announce one could suspect that iOS5 and OS X Lion has to be shown as well. Well you are correct – and the big guy himself Steve Jobs will be at the launch event to be the keynote speaker. iOS5 should bring a whole new set of widgets, and a revamp of the current notifications system, one of the more frequent points of complaints of the iPhone and iPad users. OS X Lion has ben well-previewed too…

Let me be straight – this is very nice for Apple to start looking into the cloud services, and all that, but my wonder is if it is a day late dollar short. Google has Google Music beta going on, Microsoft has Zune, and Amazon has it’s own service…How will Apple make their appeal more than the others. Yes I know it is all about Apple and hundreds of millions of Apple products are out but will it convince you to switch to Apple products? Tell me Geeker’s below – what does this mean to you, your friends, and family.

Press Release:

Apple to Unveil Next Generation Software at Keynote Address on Monday, June 6

CUPERTINO, California—May 31, 2011—Apple® CEO Steve Jobs and a team of Apple executives will kick off the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with a keynote address on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. At the keynote, Apple will unveil its next generation software – Lion, the eighth major release of Mac OS® X; iOS 5, the next version of Apple’s advanced mobile operating system which powers the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch®; and iCloud®, Apple’s upcoming cloud services offering.

WWDC will feature more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers. Mac® developers will see and learn how to develop world-class Mac OS X Lion applications using its latest technologies and capabilities. Mobile developers will be able to explore the latest innovations and capabilities of iOS and learn how to greatly enhance the functionality, performance and design of their apps. All developers can bring their code to the labs and work with Apple engineers.

For more details, visit the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2011 website at developer.apple.com/wwdc.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

source: SlasherGear