Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dies at 56

Compiled from news reports

Apple Inc. said the company's co-founder Steve Jobs died Wednesday. He was 56.

``We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today,'' the company said in a brief 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.''

"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," the statement from the California-based gadget-maker said.

Jobs's death came the day after Apple unveiled the new iPhone 4S at its headquarters in Cupertino, California.

In the latter stages of his cancer battle, Jobs gave up the day-to-day running of the company but remained chairman of its board of directors.

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. Jobs became Apple's chairman and handed the CEO job over to his hand-picked successor, Tim Cook.