Tears and tributes for Steve Jobs

The world today mourned the death of Apple's iconic visionary Steve Jobs, who died on Wednesday at the age of 56, with CEOs and political leaders describing him as a "genius" whose ideas will continue to shape the world for generations to come.

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was saddened at the demise of Jobs, calling him an innovative man who had taught the world new ways to communicate and connect.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Steve Jobs. He was truly an innovative man and taught us new ways to connect and communicate," the Prime Minister said in his condolence message.

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Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons, said in his condolence message: "Steve Jobs has been one of the greatest icons of the modern era. His untimely death is a huge loss to us all.

"His creativity, innovativeness and unbelievable attention to detail in every single area, gave the world the early personal computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad, which have perhaps brought about the greatest change in the way people wirelessly listen to music, view visual images, exchange data and communicate. He has changed the way of life of many.

"Apple's products, under his leadership, have had a profound impact on mankind, unequaled by any other company in the information and technology space.

"The world has lost a great business leader and a great visionary. He will be deeply mourned and greatly missed."

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US President Barack Obama said the world has lost a visionary, who was among the greatest American innovators.

"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," Obama said in a statement after the death of Jobs.

"Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it," he said.

By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity, Obama said.

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Expressing his condolences, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said it had "been an insanely great honour" to work with Jobs, his long-time rival.

"I am truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work."

Gates said he had first met Steve nearly 30 years ago, and the two had been "colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives".

He said 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 honour. I will miss Steve immensely."

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Warren Buffett said: "He was one of the most remarkable business managers and innovators in American business history."

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Expressing her sadness on the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard described him as an "incredible global innovator".

Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Gillard said she was saddened to hear the news.

"Here, we are at a Future Jobs Forum and the jobs of the future are going to be shaped by innovation and we hear the news of the loss of an incredible global innovator," she said.

"All of us would be touched every day by products that he was the creative genius behind, so this is very sad news and my condolences go to his family and friends.

"It's not too much to say he literally changed our world," Gillard said.

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Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, said: "Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

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Google Chief Executive Larry Page said: "He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it.

"His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me. He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well.

"My thoughts and Google's are with his family and the whole Apple family."

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Google co-founder Sergey Brin said: "From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino.

"Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the Macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met.

"On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much. My condolences to family, friends, and colleagues at Apple."