Die Tech-Welt trägt Trauer: Steve Jobs ist gestern im Alter von 56 Jahren an den Folgen seiner Krebserkrankung gestorben.
Auf der Startseite von Apple ist derzeit nur ein schlichtes Schwarz-Weiß-Bild ihres Mitbegründers zu sehen, der das Unternehmen seit 1997 vom Pleitekandidaten in eine der wertvollsten Marken der Welt verwandelte. Unter seiner Regie entstanden Tech-Ikonen wie Mac, iPod, iPhone und iPad, deren Präsentationen mit viel Bohei begleiteten Hochämtern glichen.
Seinen visionären Anspruch beschrieb Jobs einmal mit einem Zitat des Eishockey-Stars Wayne Gretzky: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.’ And we’ve always tried to do that at Apple. Since the very very beginning. And we always will.”
2004 war bei Jobs Krebs diagnostiziert worden, 2009 hatte er eine neue Niere erhalten. Im August 2011 trat er aus gesundheitlichen Gründen von seiner Funktion als Apple-CEO zurück.
Nun nimmt die Tech-Welt Abschied. Zahlreiche Freunde, Partner, Konkurrenten und Politiker ehrten Jobs in öffentlichen Statements. Auch Google erinnert heute auf seiner Startseite an Jobs. Die wichtigsten Reaktionen sind in alphabetischer Reihenfolge zusammengetragen.
Auf der Apple-Homepage erinnert das Unternehmen wie folgt an seinen verstorbenen Gründer:
“Apple hat ein visionäres und kreatives Genie verloren. Und die Welt einen außergewöhnlichen Menschen. Wer das Glück hatte, Steve kennenzulernen und mit ihm zu arbeiten, hat einen Freund und inspirierenden Mentor verloren. Steve hinterlässt ein Unternehmen, das nur er so aufbauen konnte, und sein Geist wird Apple für immer prägen.”
Das Apple Board of Directors schreibt:
“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.” (techcrunch)
Jeff Bezos, Amazon-Gründer
“Steve was a teacher to anyone paying attention, and today is a very sad day for everyone who cares about innovation and high standards.” (im WSJ)
Sergey Brin, Google-Mitgründer
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. (Google+)
Peter Chou, HTC-CEO
“I am saddened by the loss of a great man. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. I respect and admire Steve Jobs for the incredible impact he has had on the technology industry,” Chou said in a statement.” [wsj]
Choi Gee-sung, Samsung-CEO
“Samsung Electronics is saddened to hear of Chairman Steve Jobs’ passing and would like to extend our deepest condolences. Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry and was a great entrepreneur. His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world. We would like to again express our sincerest condolences to Mr.Jobs’ family and his colleagues.” (thedroidguy)
Bill Gates, Microsoft-Gründer
“I’m 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.
Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.
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 honor. I will miss Steve immensely.” (thegatesnotes)
Barack Obama, US-Präsident
“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.
By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.
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. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.” (WhiteHouse-Blog)
Larry Page, Google-CEO
“I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. 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. (Google+)
Eric Schmidt, Google
“Today is very sad for all of us. Steve defined a generation of style and technology that’s unlikely to be matched again. Steve was so charismatically brilliant that he inspired people to do the impossible, and he will be remembered as the greatest computer innovator in history.” (wsj)
Steve Wozniak, Apple Mitbegründer
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook-CEO
“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.” (Facebook)
2005 hielt Jobs eine bekannt gewordene Rede an der Stanford University. Ihm sollen die letzten Worte gehören: