Apple co-founder, inventor, tech industry pioneer and icon Steve Jobs has passed away, aged 56.  According to a statement released by his family, he ‘died peacefully surrounded by his family’, and they ask those who mourn his passing alongside them to ‘respect their privacy during their time of grief’.  My thoughts go out to them at this sad time.

Those publishing tributes include US President Obama, Bill Gates and fellow Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, whose words echoed the thoughts of many, saying ‘we’ve lost something we won’t get back’.  The news puts the subdued iPhone 4S launch event into context, and industry pundit Robert Scoble posted a heartfelt note on his Google+ account, actually addressed to Tim Cook, putting into words what many will be feeling.

Mr. Jobs, even though I never knew him personally, had a genuine influence on the direction my life has taken.  I know I’m not the only one.  Rest in peace Steve, your amazing legacy lives on.

Apple has a memorial page here, and anyone wanting to share their thoughts, memories or condolences can send an email to rememberingsteve@apple.com.

In closing, here’s a clip of the moment the iPhone 3G was launched at WWDC 2008, as it was the very first Steve Jobs keynote I saw.