A few words on Steve Jobs

Steven Paul Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple, died on 5 October after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. Born 24 February 1955, he was 56.

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At Which? we strive to improve products and services for consumers, but it’s a mantra Steve Jobs abided to his entire adult life. It’s arguable no one has had a greater impact on creating better consumer electronics products than he.

From the Macintosh in 1984 to the iPhone 4S announced only this week, Jobs left an indelible mark on an industry and on the millions of people who bought Apple’s products. In leading Pixar, the company behind animated films such as Toy Story, he had a profound impact on the world of cinema, too.

His importance is reflected in the tributes to him left by the leading lights of technology and politics:

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. — President Barack Obama

He was dubbed a megalomaniac, but Steve Jobs often gambled on young, largely inexperienced talent to take Apple forward; Jony Ive and his team prove that such faith was spot on. — Sir James Dyson

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. — Bill Gates

He will be missed.

The five products that defined Steve Jobs and Apple – Which?
Steve Jobs: his life and career – video – The Guardian
Steve Jobs’ career in pictures – BBC News
Apple iPhone 4S – everything you need to know – Which?