Steve Jobs

Apple's Tim Cook sent out a company-wide email regarding Steve Jobs's death earlier today that looks back on the former CEO's contributions to the company throughout the years.

Apple will be celebrating the life of Steve Jobs in an upcoming private event, but you can send your regards and well wishes to a dedicated email address. Below, Tim's letter to Apple employees.

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

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.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim

Today it was announced that Apple visionary Steve Jobs has passed away. At 56, the man who transformed the way we viewed computers, lost the battle against a rare form of cancer that has plagued him in the last few years.

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Steve Jobs has changed our lives not just with the Apple technology, but he has also inspired us all with his determination and dedication to his craft.

Following today's sad news that Apple cofounder Steve Jobs has passed away at the age of 56, take a moment to watch his moving 2005 commencement address to Stanford University graduates. He reflected on his own life and career, before imparting inspirational advice:

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."

Apple announced that legendary CEO Steve Jobs has passed away today. And while the tech industry reacts to the news, Apple has replaced its usual iPhone-centric homepage with a quiet tribute to the man who raised the company to new heights. The company has also set up a dedicated email address where you can send messages and condolences to Steve's family and friends.

Sad news today: after a long battle with pancreatic cancer and just months after stepping down as CEO of Apple, Inc., Steve Jobs has passed away. Apple's board of directors has released a statement:

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.

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.

Our thoughts are with Steve's family, and we wish them the best during this difficult time.

Tim Cook took the stage yesterday for his first product launch after being named CEO, and he donned a very familiar uniform during the iPhone 4S launch: basic black shirt and jeans. Though, unlike Steve Jobs, Tim opted for a button-up and dark wash over St. Croix and Levi's.

There's been much to-do about his predecessor's keynote attire, so it will be interesting to see if Tim changes things up on stage in the future.

Yesterday, Steve Jobs resigned from Apple and the whole world (not to mention my Facebook page) was abuzz with the news. The highly intelligent and enigmatic man has taught us a lot, through his speeches and by example. A true leader in many respects, his talent with words has been one of his most admired traits. His speeches have the ability to move and inspire.

In a famous commencement speech Steve gave to Stanford in 2005, the Apple visionary advised students to never settle.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

. . . I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

Read on to watch the whole speech.

Effective immediately, Steve Jobs has resigned from Apple. Steve will still serve as Chairman of the Board while Tim Cook has officially taken over as CEO. Below is his complete letter to the staff of Apple Inc.

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