This evening Apple confirmed that the visionary man behind the company has passed away. I don’t normally do sentiment, I’m normally too wrapped up in my own concerns and worries to really spend time on others, but something hit me when I heard the news.
I’ve used a Mac since leaving school, introduced to one at my first design agency, but remember an old colleague running a Mac emulator through an Amiga years before that, in black and white. That’s how important they were back then, and that notion hasn’t changed a bit – I still use one for my job today.
Now, of course, the legacy that Steve Jobs leaves behind stretches much further than anyone but him ever imagined. He made computing accessible, friendly, intuitive, and he brought the world the iPod, quite probably one of man’s greatest ever feats of engineering and design.
And – as the figures clearly show – he changed the shape of mobile gaming forever with the iPhone.
There’s a strange, empty feeling inside me. I didn’t know the man personally, but I’ve used his ideas, projections and – yes – products for most of my adult life. Some scoff at Apple, the brand, the devices, but they’ve only ever had a positive impact on my life.
If that was Jobs’ only desire, as with everything else he did, he succeeded.
RadicalMave07
he was truly a great visionary,he accomplished so much,and did so much for the world,he will be very missed.Rest in Peace,Steve.
CrawFail
Lovely article, Alex.
Judging by the comments here it’s apparent that everyone understands and respects the mans achievements. Commenters on other websites are much less pleasant.
As a fan of technology the news of his passing has affected my quite profoundly. As someone else mentioned, he has brought science fiction into the realm of reality and made technology cool. His mark on the industry and the world is huge and carved paths we otherwise wouldn’t have had.
Rest in peace, Steve.
Sent from my iPhone…which has been my only line to the Internet since moving house at the weekend.
JesseDeya
Thank you Steve, as a stubborn PC user I fought your vision for so many years – but eventually your genius touched even my iron hyde.
I’m just glad as a consumer I could finally be a part of your vision (posted from my iMac).
Radiitz
Although Apple feels like an arch enemy of sorts to me, as I just can’t stand these current times with overrated technology products and bad tastes, it is a shame for Steve to be gone so soon and to be caught by a tragic death in cancer.
R.i.P Steve Jobs.
seedaripper1973
Hmm, do you lot really know the REAL Steve Jobs??
http://www.christianpost.com/news/steve-jobs-ignored-poisoned-workers-pleas-for-help-at-apple-factory-54908/
I don’t condone the daily mail (but most of it was ripped via the Observer)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382396/Workers-Chinese-Apple-factories-forced-sign-pledges-commit-suicide.html
Food for thought kiddies…
Awayze
Don’t blame Apple, blame the Chinese companies who are hired by Apple to make the iPad’s etc.
beeje13
Steve Just designed the great products, Apple did the rest.
seedaripper1973
He may of designed the interiors/electronics (and i’m not even sure on that) but the product design was done via a british designer…and Awayze, as you pointed out Apple still hired the chinese companies, so it is still their responsibility (they could of cancelled at any point but chose to still use them as it was more profitable) peas…(mushy of course)
Roynaldo
I feel absolutely nothing other than an honest shake and drop of the head for yet another man dying before his years at the hands of cancer.
What he did with his life hasnt affected me and i didnt even know the man behind the marvels name until now. Cancer and the limits on treatment however is something that has affected almost all of us and it really pisses me off.
ColinR64
R.I.P. The world has lost a true visionary. :(
Rad4Life
What can you say about a man like Steve Jobs? More than a man. He will be greatly missed.
flatspikes
Touched by his products and surprisingly touched by his death. If it wasn’t for Apple products I doubt my wife would be using eBay, sending email, banking online and dozens of other things. A deep impact on my life for sure and as other have mentioned brings the indiscriminate nature of cancer into focus. No matter how rich or poor it can effect us all, time we beat this particular beast.
RedStarGlow
Respect.