Apple co-founder Steve Jobs death: tributes pour in

Apple's corporate statement announcing the death of 56-year old co-founder Steve Jobs was brief: "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."

Many technology experts, industry peers and other admirers have been quick to add their own tributes.

US President Barack Obama

"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.

"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."

Tim Cook, Apple chief executive

"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."

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder

"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely.

"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."

GS Choi, Samsung chief executive

"Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry and was a great entrepreneur. His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world."

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard

"All of us would be touched every day by products that he was the creative genius behind, so this is very sad news and my condolences go to his family and friends."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

"Tonight, America lost a genius who will be remembered with Edison and Einstein, and whose ideas will shape the world for generations to come.

"Again and again over the last four decades, Steve Jobs saw the future and brought it to life long before most people could even see the horizon.

"In New York City's government, everyone from street construction inspectors to NYPD detectives have harnessed Apple's products to do their jobs more efficiently and intuitively."

Steve Jobs is credited with revolutionising the way people listen to music

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder

"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

Bob Iger, chief executive, Walt Disney

"His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined.

"Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started."

Rupert Murdoch, CEO, News Corp

"Today, we lost one of the most influential thinkers, creators and entrepreneurs of all time. Steve Jobs was simply the greatest CEO of his generation."

Larry Page, chief executive, Google

"He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it."

Howard Stringer, CEO, Sony

"The digital age has lost its leading light, but Steve's innovation and creativity will inspire dreamers and thinkers for generations."

Spike Lee, producer, director, actor

"VISIONARIES are always called CRAZY in the beginning. A VISIONARY sees things that everybody else says is IMPOSSIBLE, sees a World that People can't invision (sic) - MAC, IPOD, IPAD, IPHONE, ITUNES and PIXAR. I have nothing but Love for Mr. Jobs and Apple, they have always given me and my films L-O-V-E."

Steve Wozniack, Apple Computer co-founder, and school friend

"I'm going to remember him as always being [of] very quick mind, and almost all the time that we had discussions about how something should be done in the company, he was almost always right. He had thought it out. He had thought out why a product should go to the left, instead of to the right. So, just really his intelligence, common sense, knowing what made sense in a product, what wasn't going to sell, and what was going to sell. And when you should implement a new technology and be ahead of the world and when, maybe, you should be a little bit of a follower."

Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post

"'Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose', as Steve Jobs said in 2005."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California

"Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us."

The Grammys (recording academy)

"Thank you for revolutionising the way we listen to music. Your vision will not be forgotten."

iPhone vigils

Industry colleagues and rivals flocked to pay their compliments for and respect to Steve Jobs, including the founder of Twitter, Dick Costolo, AOL's founder, Steve Case, the chief executive of Time Warner, Jeff Bewkes, the chief executive of Dell, Michael Dell and the chairman of the New York Times, Arthur Sulzberger.

Other tributes (via Twitter) included praise for the way Steve Jobs changed the technological landscape:

"Thank you, Steve Jobs, for making technology a delight to use, instead of a necessary evil."

"The world pauses their iPods and rushes to their MacBooks and iPhones to confirm the news."

"3 Apples changed the World, 1st one seduced Eve, 2nd fell on Newton and the 3rd was offered to the World half bitten by Steve Jobs."

Apple fans were invited to share their thoughts, memories and condolences by sending messages to [e-mail].

And social networking groups were calling for iPhone vigils in public parks across the United States.