Farewell Steve Jobs "The Leonardo Da Vinci of Our Age"

Steve Jobs, one of the most successful innovators of the Information Age, died on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) at the age of 56, after a long battle with cancer. Jobs was deemed the heart and soul of Apple, one of the most valuable companies in the world. He combined technical innovation with elegant design, leading some to call him the Leonardo da Vinci of our age.

The Silicon Valley icon who gave the world the iPod and the iPhone resigned as CEO of the world's largest technology corporation in August, handing the reins to current chief executive Tim Cook.

Jobs, who fought a rare form of pancreatic cancer, was deemed the heart and soul of a company that rivals Exxon Mobil as the most valuable in America.

"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," Apple said in a statement announcing Jobs' passing.

"His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Apple's website featured a black-and-white image of Jobs, with the text "Steve Jobs 1955-2011."

"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," read a message when a visitor clicked on Jobs' image.

It invited those who want to share thoughts, memories and condolences to send their emails to rememberingsteve@apple.com.

Tech site Mashable also cited a statement from Apple announcing Jobs' passing.

Other tech sites also ran stories highlighting Jobs' amazing career at Apple.

"One of the most legendary businessmen in American history, Jobs turned three separate industries on their head in the 35 years he was involved in the technology industry," CNET said.

CNET cited the Apple II in 1977 for personal computing, the iPod and iTunes for bringing legal digital music recordings to the mainstream in the early 2000s, the iPhone for changing mobile phones in 2007, and the iPad in 2010 for more personal computing.

"Jobs was considered brilliant yet brash. He valued elegance in design yet was almost never seen in public wearing anything but a black mock turtleneck, blue jeans, and a few days worth of stubble. A master salesman who considered himself an artist at heart, Jobs inspired both reverence and fear in those who worked for him and against him, and was adored by an army of loyal Apple customers who almost saw him as superhuman," it said. — HS, Reuters with GMA News