Apple co-founder and former chief executive Steve Jobs has died aged 56, the US technology company announced.
The company said in a statement: "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."
Mr Jobs had battled cancer in 2004 and underwent a liver transplant in 2009 after taking a leave of absence for unspecified health problems.
He took another leave of absence in January - his third since his health problems began - before resigning as CEO six weeks ago.
Mr Jobs became Apple's chairman and handed the CEO job over to his hand-picked successor, Tim Cook.
The news Apple fans and shareholders had been dreading came the day after the company unveiled its latest version of the iPhone, just one in a procession of devices that shaped technology and society while Mr Jobs was running the company.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she was saddened by Mr Jobs' death, calling him an "incredible global innovator" who "literally changed our world".
She added: "All of us would be touched every day by products that he was the creative genius behind."
Apple co-founder and former chief executive Steve Jobs has died aged 56, the US technology company announced.
The company said in a statement: "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."
Mr Jobs had battled cancer in 2004 and underwent a liver transplant in 2009 after taking a leave of absence for unspecified health problems.
He took another leave of absence in January - his third since his health problems began - before resigning as CEO six weeks ago.
Mr Jobs became Apple's chairman and handed the CEO job over to his hand-picked successor, Tim Cook.
The news Apple fans and shareholders had been dreading came the day after the company unveiled its latest version of the iPhone, just one in a procession of devices that shaped technology and society while Mr Jobs was running the company.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she was saddened by Mr Jobs' death, calling him an "incredible global innovator" who "literally changed our world".
She added: "All of us would be touched every day by products that he was the creative genius behind."