RIP Steve Jobs

Early this morning the sad news arrived that Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of Apple, had died at the age of 56. Jobs had been struggling with a rare form of pancreatic cancer over the past few years, which recently led him to step down as CEO of Apple and has ultimately ended his life.

And what a life it was. Having founded Apple with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976 – and resigning in the mid '80s – his return to the fold in 1997 heralded Apple's rebirth, eventually leading them to become the world's largest technology corporation.

A true innovator and iconic figure in the technology community, he was, of course, responsible for the creation of an iconic bit of music kit – the iPod. So much more than just a 21st Walkman, it was a genuine work of art and (along with iTunes) changed the way we listened to music forever.

Originally launched by Jobs on October 23 2001, it faced much initial criticism with naysayers claiming that there was no market for it. As we now know, the white device soon became ubiquitous. Apple's iTunes Music Store launched in Ireland in January 2005 and proved to be equally successful, ushering in the era of legal downloading. The iPhone and iPad subsequently followed.

In 2004, Jobs was central to the launch of the U2 Special Edition iPod, to tie in with the release of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. In the pages of Hot Press at the time, Bono commented on the collaboration. "How cool is the iPod? It's a beautiful piece of technology."

Steve Jobs was similarly fond of the Dublin group. “U2 is one of the greatest bands in the world and we are floored to be working with them. We just want to make some innovative products together." Only last month, Bono thanked Steve Jobs for his "invaluable" support in fighting AIDS in the New York Times.

In truth, Jobs contributed invaluably to many spheres in society. His absence will be keenly felt for some time to come. Rest in peace.