Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on Wednesday at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.

Jobs' death was announced by Apple in a statement late on Wednesday. The Silicon Valley icon who gave the world the iPod and the iPhone had resigned as CEO of the world's largest technology corporation in August, handing the reins to current chief executive Tim Cook.

A survivor of a rare form of pancreatic cancer, he was deemed the heart and soul of a company that rivals Exxon Mobil as the most valuable in America.

''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,'' Apple said in a statement announcing Jobs' passing.

''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.''

Job's health had been a controversial topic for years. His battle with cancer had been of deep concern to Apple fans, investors and the company's board alike. Over past years, even board members have confided to friends their concern that Jobs, in his quest for privacy, wasn't being forthcoming enough with directors about the true condition of his health.

Now, despite investor confidence in Cook, who has stood in for his boss during three leaves of absence, there remain concerns about whether the company would stay a creative force to be reckoned with beyond the next year or so without its founder and visionary at the helm.

The news triggered an immediate outpouring of sympathy. Among others, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates said he will miss Jobs ''immensely''.

Apple Inc's newest iPhone left Wall Street and fans wishing for more than a souped-up version of last year's device, igniting a rare storm of criticism and disappointment on the Internet.

Newly minted CEO Tim Cook ably helmed his first major product launch without former boss Steve Jobs, but failed to ignite the sort of excitement and buzz that the charismatic Apple co-founder once did.

Expectations were high at this critical juncture, when Android phones by Samsung Electronics and other rivals are closing in on Apple's lead and the important holiday shopping season gets started.

Investors and fans, looking to be blown away by some amazing surprise, sent the shares down as much as 5 percent before they recovered with the market to close down 0.6 percent.

Cook, who took over from Jobs in August, and his executive team showed off a device that comes with voice recognition and a better camera, but looks identical to the last phone and does little to lift the bar for smartphones.

While the gadget wasn't as tricked out as some had hoped, analysts liked its voice-enabling technology that helps users vocalize everything from stock price searches to sending messages -- more easily than on Android phones or Research in Motion Blackberries.

"It's been 16 months and all you've got is an A5 processor in the existing iPhone 4," said BGC Partners' analyst Colin Gillis. "It's a mild disappointment, but they're still going to be selling millions of units."

Some shareholders and analysts hoped for a cameo appearance by Jobs, now chairman. The pancreatic cancer survivor, who took his third medical leave in August, did not appear.

In some ways, Apple may have been a victim of its past success. Its launches are some of the hottest events on the tech calendar. Tuesday's "Let's talk iPhone" show marked Cook's unofficial debut since taking over from Jobs in August.

Analysts say it is more crucial than ever to sustain the popularity of its aging iPhone 4. Apple sold more than 20 million units in the third quarter ended June 25.

"It's kind of funny -- if they have gone and called it the 5, the stock would have been fine, but they're calling it the 4S, which is a disappointment to some," said WP Stewart portfolio manager Michael Walker.

The iPhone, which accounts for more than 40 percent of Apple's sales, has been a success since it came out in 2007, making Apple into one of the world's leading consumer electronics companies.

INTENSIFYING COMPETITION

On a brighter note, the company would seem to be making inroads into potentially pivotal new markets.

It said more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies are testing or using its iPhones and iPads, expanding its presence in a corporate market dominated by RIM. RIM shares trading on the Nasdaq stock market slid nearly 3 percent before ending 2.4 percent higher. Google shares finished 1.3 percent up.

The two-generation-old iPhone 3GS will be offered free, as long as users sign a contract. Analysts said that would help to expand its market in lower-end Asian and developing markets.

"Apple is hitting Nokia when it's vulnerable. How many billions of people in emerging markets would love to have an iPhone? These are a growing demographic," said YCMNet Advisors CEO Michael Yoshikami.

Tuesday's iPhone event took place at Apple Central -- the same venue where the iPod first was introduced years ago -- versus the larger, splashier venues of more recent choice such as downtown San Francisco's Moscone center.

Heading in to the event, many on Wall Street had questioned Cook's ability lead the company as Jobs did. In terms of stage presence, Jobs was a tough act to follow, but analysts say Cook acquitted himself well.

Twitter users were not impressed with the phone, though.

"Please note I will be selling some 'S' stickers for $0.99 so iPhone 4 owners have a cheaper upgrade option," wrote HAL9000 on Twitter.

Tomlinsonr tweeted, "I'll have a double helping of 'meh' with a side of 'whatever'."

The latest version of the iPhone comes as the economy slows and competition intensifies. People activate more than 550,000 Android-based devices -- including tablets -- each day.

Nielsen data shows the iPhone was No. 2 in the United States with a 28 percent market share, with Android at 43 percent.

Globally, iPhone shipments rose 9.1 percent in the second quarter while Nokia's plummeted more than 30 percent, handing the top spot to Apple with a market share of 18.4 percent, according to IHS iSuppli. Samsung, whose shipments grew faster, is coming on strong with a market share of 17.8 percent.

Despite disappointment online, analysts said the phone is superior to many rival offerings.

"Voice recognition has been on Google and Blackberry devices for years, but Apple will make it much more usable," said Morgan Keegan analyst Tavis McCourt.

Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO of Apple, Inc.  In a letter to the Board of Apple and the Apple Community obtained by TechCrunch, Jobs remarked, "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."

The full transcript of Jobs' letter is as follows.

"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.

Steve"

No specific reason was given for his departure, but Jobs has been suffering from an unspecified illness for at least the past two years.  In 2004, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had surgery to remove a tumor.  Since then, his appearances at public events have been heavily scrutinized for signs of decline or recovery.

Apple confirmed that Jobs had stepped down and will now take on the less intense role of Chairman of the Board and that urrent Apple COO Tim Cook will replace him as CEO.

“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple's Board said in a release. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”

Levinson added, “The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO. Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.”

One of the founders of Apple in 1976, Jobs left the company in 1985.  After middling success with another computer entity, NEXT, Jobs returned to a floundering Apple in 1996 as interim CEO.  By 2000 he dropped the "interim" title as he helped shepherd one of the biggest turnaround in the history of American business. Under Jobs' second tenure, Apple revolutionized the music business with the iPod and itunes store, cellphones with the iPhone and the touchpad with the iPad.  Over the past 12 months, Apple has gone back and forth with ExxonMobil as the world's biggest company surpassing even Microsoft which was co-founded by Jobs' longtime rival Bill Gates.

Jobs is also responsible for spearheading the creative development of Pixar animation studios which he acquired in 1986.  After mammoth creative and commercial success under the direction of John Lasseter, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction.  Jobs became the largest single Disney shareholder with 7% of the company and a seat on the company's board of directors.  Jobs also has a seat on a special steering committee at Disney.

An Xbox 360 addict from Sheffield, England died from a blood clot after playing on his video game console for too long.

Chris Staniforth, 20, suffered a blockage to his lungs when he developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He collapsed shortly after telling a friend he had been feeling painful sensations in his chest. The friend called for help, but it was too late.

DVT can be triggered by sitting in one position for long periods. Staniforth, an avid player of games such as Halo, would use his Xbox for up to 12 hours, without getting up to take a stretch. Now, his parents are launching a campaign to “raise awareness about the health risks of playing online computer games.”

In 2005, a South Korean gamer died after playing online games for almost 72 hours without taking a break.

A Japanese company has come up with a new way to charge your mobile phone after a natural disaster or in the great outdoors - by heating a pot of water over a campfire.

The Hatsuden-Nabe thermo-electric cookpot turns heat from boiling water into electricity that feeds via a USB port into digital devices such as smartphones, music players and global positioning systems.

TES NewEnergy, based in the western city of Osaka, started selling the gadget in Japan this month for 24,150 yen, and plans to market it later in developing countries with patchy power grids.

Chief executive Kazuhiro Fujita said the invention was inspired by Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami that left 23,000 people dead or missing, devastated the northeast region and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

"When I saw the TV footage of the quake victims making a fire to keep themselves warm, I came up with the idea of helping them to charge their mobile phones at the same time," Fujita said.

The pot features strips of ceramic thermoelectric material that generate electricity through temperature differentials between the 550 degrees Celsius at the bottom of the pot and the water boiling inside at 100 degrees.

The company says the device takes three to five hours to charge an iPhone and can heat up your lunch at the same time.

"Unlike a solar power generator, our pot can be used regardless of time of day and weather while its small size allows people to easily carry it in a bag in case of evacuation," said director and co-developer Ryoji Funahashi.

TES NewEnergy was set up in 2010 to promote products based on technology developed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan's largest public research organisation.

It also makes and markets equipment to transform residual heat from industrial waste furnaces into electricity.

The company says the pot will be used mainly in emergency situations and for outdoor activities, but also has uses in developing countries.

"There are many places around the world that lack the electric power supply for charging mobile phones," Fujita said.

"In some African countries, for example, it's a bother for people to walk to places where they can charge mobile phones. We would like to offer our invention to those people." 

Ever since Google bought YouTube for $1.6 billion in the fall of 2006, they haven’t really had much need to give attention to Google Video. And this week, the search engine giant announced via email that Google Video is shutting down for good.

If you happen to have any materials posted on the video sharing website, better head over and save them because starting on April 29, your videos will no longer be viewable. A download button has been added so you can grab any video content you want to save. However, that feature will be disabled after May 13.

Here’s the email the search engine giant sent its Google Video users this week:

Dear Google Video User,

Later this month, hosted video content on Google Video will no longer be available for playback. Google Video stopped taking uploads in May 2009 and now we’re removing the remaining hosted content. We’ve always maintained that the strength of Google Video is its ability to let people search videos from across the web, regardless of where those videos are hosted. And this move will enable us to focus on developing these technologies further to the benefit of searchers worldwide.

    On April 29, 2011, videos that have been uploaded to Google Video will no longer be available for playback. We’ve added a Download button to the video status page, so you can download any video content you want to save. If you don’t want to download your content, you don’t need to do anything. (The Download feature will be disabled after May 13, 2011.)

    We encourage you to move to your content to YouTube if you haven’t done so already. YouTube offers many video hosting options including the ability to share your videos privately or in an unlisted manner. To learn more go here.
    Here’s how to download your videos:

    1. Go to the Video Status page.
    2. To download a video to your computer, click the Download Video link located on the right side of each of your videos in the Actions column.

    Once a video has been downloaded, “Already Downloaded” will appear next to the Download Video link.

    If you have many videos on Google Video, you may need to use the paging controls located on the bottom right of the page to access them all.
    Please note: This download option will be available through May 13, 2011.
    Thank you for being a Google Video user.

    Sincerely,
    The Google Video Team

Popular file-sharing service LimeWire has been found guilty of violating copyright laws, prompting a court to order the company to cease its peer-to-peer functionality.

A federal court judge ordered LimeWire to stop all downloads, uploads, file sharing, and any other illegal distribution of files, putting an end to what has become one of the biggest peer-to-peer community in the Internet. The decision affects millions of users who rely on LimeWire to share music and other media files through the Internet. LimeWire said it catered to around 50 million users each month.

The case was brought against LimeWire by the Recording Industry Association of America, which accuses the company of allowing “billions and billions of illegal downloads.” Another trial will be conducted in January to determine the damages that LimeWire may have caused record companies since it began operation in 2000.

Despite the unfavorable decision, LimeWire said it is not about to just fade into oblivion. The company, which was founded by Mark Gorton in 2000, said it is planning to become a hub where users can legally buy music from independent artists.

If Facebook users constitute an entire nation, it would rank as third most populous country.

The six year old giant social networking site reached the 500 million users mark last weekend and the site is expected to announce the actual number anytime this week.

As part of the occasion, the site will be launching Facebook Stories, a special application that will feature short tales about users whose lives were changed because of Facebook.

500 million users are more than the latest population census of the United States which stands at 309 million. Only China and India have more people, each with a billion residents.

Analysts believe that advertisers will take advantage of the situation despite the fact that the site had encountered issues in the past few months. Such issues include privacy settings and the cartoon drawing competition that Muslim users found to be not good.

Facebook was created by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and was launched last February 4, 2004.

The press conference gave an occurrence that some may say a surprise move, that of the CEO of Apple apologizing for a product – and offers something free in return.

“There are some customers having problems with their iPhone 4s,” said CEO Steve Jobs Friday, July 16. “I apologize to them.” Before apologizing, the usually black long-sleeved mock turtleneck clad executive defended the people behind the smartphone development. “We are human and we make mistakes sometimes. We don’t know everything. But we figure it out pretty fast, and we take care of our customers.”

He actually began the conference explaining that the handset’s antenna problem is a minor issue that is featured in all mobile phones. He stressed out that only a few of the iPhone 4 users are complaining about it. By statistics, only 2% of those who bought a unit returned the product.

The problem in question is that the signal reception of the antenna fades or disappears when users grip the device in a conventional way.

As a containment measure, while the company looks for a permanent solution, he said that they would be giving a free case to anyone who bought an iPhone 4. Users who would be availing should grab the opportunity until September 30 only. Anyone who already bought a case through Apple may ask for a refund.

There is something sleek and shiny which can now be downloaded for free at Mozilla.

The company that claims to be the “world’s best browser” has introduced to the public Mozilla Firefox 4 beta which is available for free at the Mozilla website.

Beta, which can be used for Windows, OS X, and Linux, has introduced amazing improvements such as a new tab location for better visual display (much like Chrome), a new add-ons manager, and includes an HTML5 for HD quality video.

Under the hood, it offers crash protection guaranteed in uninterrupted browsing for Windows, Linux and Mac users. It also has an Indexed DB, Websockets, and JetPack SDK where add-ons can be installed without restarting the browser.

However, Mozilla’s new addition is in its early beta phase. Such a stage is open to unexpected performance quirks such as crashing and unreliability. Despite this fact, the public is welcome to try out the new browser.

Apple has announced that its upcoming software update for the iPhone 4 will have no affect on the signal loss issues other than to falsely display improved signal bars.

iPhone 4 owners and wannabe owners will be disappointed by the purely cosmetic improvements to the handset’s devastating signal loss problems. According to Gizmodo, AppleCare, the customer service hand of the Cupertino company has stated: “The incoming software update will not fix this antenna problem, only change the way the phone displays the available signal, make it more accurate.”

Whilst it was obvious from the outset that the new Apple smartphone issues ran deeper than a simple software miscalculation, Apple has remained adamant that the problem is manageable and easily fixed.

Alternative solutions to the problem that is causing dropped calls and the loss of usable reception and internet connections presented by Apple range from the callous “Just avoid holding it in that way” remarks from Steve Jobs to the extortionate buy our Bumper advice.