CUPERTINO, CA -- Steve Jobs, the cofounder and face of Apple, died today. He was  56.

On its website, Apple released the following statement:

"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."

Jobs had stepped down as CEO in August when his health problems became too severe to continue. He had been suffering from a rare form of pancreatic cancer, for which he underwent treatment for eight years, and had a liver transplant in 2009. At the time of his resignation, he made no mention of his illness in a public letter to Apple employees, but acknowledged he was no longer capable of running the world's largest company. "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 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."

Jobs, who was in 1985 booted from the company he cofounded, is credited for turning around a floundering Apple when he returned via the computer maker's acquisition of NeXT. He envisioned a hyperconnected world in which the functions of many heretofore devices were integrated. He also foresaw the emergence of a huge new class of electronics devices, and moved Apple into such areas as music and video. On his watch, the company became the largest in the world in terms of market capitalization.

Despite his well-deserved praise for rescuing Apple, Jobs was known as a difficult and demanding boss, driven by a vision and energy that few could match. He also was an object of criticism in some quarters for his heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturers, particularly Foxconn, that have been accused by several NGOs of being sweatshops.

Microsoft chairman and cofounder Bill Gates, his longtime adversary, said via Twitter, "For those of us lucky enough to get to work with Steve, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."

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