Steve Jobs dies at 56

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple who transformed personal computers, music, mobile phones and film animation, has died at the age of 56.

Apple announced his death on 5 October. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer and stepped down as the company's chief executive in August, handing over to Tim Cook.

A garage start

Jobs founded Apple with Steve Wozniak in 1976, building computers in his parents' garage in California. The Apple II, launched in 1977, became one of the first successful mass-market personal computers, and the Macintosh, launched in 1984, popularised the mouse and on-screen windows and icons.

He was forced out of Apple in 1985 after a boardroom battle. He went on to found NeXT, another computer company, and bought the animation studio that became Pixar, which made Toy Story, the first feature film made entirely by computer.

The comeback

Apple bought NeXT in 1997, bringing Jobs back to the company, which was close to collapse at the time. He soon became chief executive and began one of the most remarkable turnarounds in business history.

The colourful iMac was followed by the iPod in 2001, which changed the music industry, and the iTunes music store. The iPhone, launched in 2007, transformed the mobile phone, and the iPad, launched last year, created a new market for tablet computers.

Apple is now one of the most valuable companies in the world.

A demanding leader

Jobs was known for his attention to detail, his obsession with design and his dramatic product launches. He could be demanding and difficult to work for, but he inspired intense loyalty among many of his staff and customers.

His speech to students at Stanford University in 2005, in which he spoke about his illness and urged them to "stay hungry, stay foolish", has been watched by millions online.

Tributes

Tributes have poured in from world leaders, business figures and fans. President Barack Obama said the world had lost a visionary. Flowers, notes and apples have been left outside Apple stores around the world, including in Britain.

Jobs is survived by his wife, Laurene, and his children.

Apple has said that his spirit will forever be the foundation of the company.