People React to Steve Jobs Death

People across the world reacted to the death of the man behind Apple, Steve Jobs, who died on Wednesday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.

Instead of featuring the recently announced iPhone 4s, the Apple website displayed a black-and-white photo of Jobs on Thurday along with "1955-2011", the year of his birth and death.

Photo courtesy of Apple Inc.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," the company said in a brief statement. "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."

"In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

"We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief."

Across the world, people flocked to Apple stores and left bouquet of flowers, candles and apples.

People also held virtual candles on their iPhones and iPads as well as photos displayed on various products created by Jobs.

Jobs was also the CEO of Pixar Animation which produced "Toy Story", "Monster's Inc." and "Bug's Life" and whom he bought from "Star Wars" Director George Lucas. In later years, he partnered with Disney to distribute films. Jobs later became a part of the Disney board and became the largest shareholder of Disney.

The animation studio also released a statement over the death of Jobs.

"Steve Jobs was an extraordinary visionary, our very dear friend and the guiding light of the Pixar family. He saw the potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us, and beyond what anyone ever imagined. Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer animated films; the one thing he always said was to simply 'make it great.' He is why Pixar turned out the way we did and his strength, integrity and love of life has made us all better people. He will forever be a part of Pixar’s DNA. Our hearts go out to his wife Laurene and their children during this incredibly difficult time."

Simon & Schuster, the publisher of his biography, pushed up the publication from November 21 to October 24 and preorders are being accepted.

The book originally titled "iSteve: The Book of Jobs" written by Walter Isaacson jumped to number one on Amazon's best-seller list Thursday and number three on Barnes & Noble. It also surged to number one on Apple's iBooks platform.

President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama released a statement saying Jobs built one of the planet's most successful companies.

"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."

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates a longtime rival of Jobs said he was lucky enough to work with Jobs.

"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 Steve, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."

Celebrities and public officials released statements and reacted to the death of Jobs on Twitter.

Jimmy Fallon wrote one tweet about Jobs and his contribution.

“Thank you, Steve Jobs, for all of the fun and amazing ways you made our lives better….Sent from my iPhone.”

Alec Baldwin compared Jobs to other innovators.

“Sad about Steve Jobs. On par with Henry Ford, Carnegie and Edison.”

Despite his death, Apple stocks have remained relatively consistant throughout the day, dropping .23 percent at the close.

Jobs had been diagnosed with a rare pancreatic cancer seven years ago and had a liver transplant in 2009.