Biographer Walter Isaacson reflects on his in-depth profile of the recently deceased Apple CEO and the incredible legacy he left behind.

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An iPad candlelight vigil in honor of Steve Jobs.

In a totally random and stream of consciousness order, I bring you some of the many gifts Steve Jobs gave the world. Feel free to add more in the comments section.

Apple, Pixar, MacBooks, iBooks, iMacs, Apple Stores, iPods, iPads, mini iPods, the Mac guy, the PC guy, iTunes, playlists, Top 25 most played, Buzz, Woody, Mike Wazowski, Edna Mode from "The Incredibles", Kevin the Bird, Mater, Nemo, Dorie, "To Infinity and Beyond," Wall-E, iTunes charts, blue iBooks with the handle, green iBooks with the handle, red mini iPods, red mini iPods with video, Apple TV, iPad 2, iPad cases, iPad apps, Angry Birds, FaceTime, iPhoto, iMovie, Luxo the Pixar lamp, his 2005 Stanford Commencement speech, "here's to the crazy ones," MacWorld, "She was on her Mac, I was on my Mac," Apple trailers, MacBook air, MacBook mini, Mobile Me, "There's an app for that," Safari, OS X Lion, Tiger, iCloud, iTunes best-seller, the ability to watch movies on your iPod, the ability to shoot movies with you iPhone, Ratatoutille, Sharkbait — oh ha ha, television on your phone, green mini iPods with your name inscribed on the back, the click wheel, the abominable snowman that eats snow cones, the sound a Mac makes when it turns on, "Sent from my iPhone," inspiration to everyone who's building something in their garage, iPod Nano, stereo dock for your iPod, Words with Friends, Photobooth, car adapters for your iPod, the Evil Emperor Zurg, the Powerbook, Word for Mac, Excel for Mac, iDisk, the Genius Bar, the Apple Expo,an easily-assembled Halloween costume of a black turtleneck and jeans, the Fifth Avenue Cube, the Apple II, iPhone launches, "Think Different" — and of course, that half eaten Apple logo.

Thanks for everything, Steve.

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Steve Jobs in 2009

Apple has just confirmed that its co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs has died. He was 56-years-old.

Jobs had battled pancreatic cancer and underwent a liver transplant in 2009.

He stepped down as CEO in August after saying he was no longer able to fulfill his duties.

In a statement this evening, the company said, "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."

A statement from Apple's board of directors reads, "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."

Apple is encouraging anyone interested in sharing "thoughts, memories, and condolences" to email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

What does Steve Jobs' legacy mean to you? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Earlier this month, Apple surpassed ExxonMobil as the nation's most valuable company. Seriously, Apple has more cash on hand than the U.S. government. Apple could even operate as its own country, as Rick Perry can relate, I'm sure.

The news of Steve Jobs' resignation at Apple must be unsettling for the anti-gay wing of the Republican party. Tim Cook's ascension to CEO of Apple now makes him one of the most powerful men the in the world. It's been widely reported he is also gay, though he hasn't ever come out publicly.

Consider this: Michele Bachmann runs away from lesbians, and her husband exorcises the homosexual barbarian out of men. Rick Perry has compared homosexuality to alcoholism. In the last Republican debate, we learned most of the candidates running for president are against marriage equality. And you know Rick Santorum's weird take on the whole issue.

Every one of them should be asked what they think of a gay man possibly leading one of the world's most powerful corporations. When Republican candidates talk about instilling our government with their anti-gay values does this also include protecting the free market they revere from homosexuality?

Steve Jobs' departure is widely being recognized as "the end of an era." He built Apple and has undoubtedly transformed society and humanity. But consider the coming era of Tim Cook and how he can transform society ever further. He is already being considered "an icon for gay advancement" than can inspire inclusion and diversity in the corporate world. 

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Steve Jobs (file)

The man who brought us the iPod, iPad and those tiny white "buds" that snugly tuck inside ears is stepping down from his position as Apple CEO. Steve Jobs formally announced his resignation today, sending shock-waves through the tech and business world.

Jobs turned Apple from a nearly broke computer company into one of the most powerful companies in the world. He has suffered from ill health on-and-off in recent years, which required extended medical leave to undergo treatment for pancreatic cancer and a liver transplant.

Tim Cook, the company's Chief Operating Officer is taking over as CEO. The change takes effect immediately.

Apple confirmed Jobs was elected board chairman and Cook is becoming a member of its board.

Here's the full text of his resignation letter:

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

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 hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

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.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Truly the end of an era. Thoughts on his departure? Leave a comment in the space below or hit me up on Twitter.

Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

A smartly dressed customer enters an Apple store. (file)

For a short time today, Apple's rising stock price pushed its value past Exxon Mobil making it — for a time — the most valuable company on the planet. According to our colleagues over at CNBC, just before 2pm ET Apple's stock price hit $365.10 bringing the company's total market cap close to a whopping $338 billion. At the same time, Exxon Mobil (whose ads you're likely to see here on our blog) was trading at $69.23 a share giving it a market cap of around $337 billion.

While Apple was back in the number two slot by the close of the trading day, some analysts told Reuters it's only a matter of time before we see the tech giant take the top spot for good. And here's some perspective from Bloomberg News... back on September 16, 1997 when Steve Jobs took over as CEO of the then-nearly bankrupt company, its stock was trading at $5.48. Wouldn't you just love to go back in time and tell you of about 14 years ago that little piece of information?