Steve Jobs Dead: Google Offers Tribute to Apple Co-Founder (PHOTO)
Google has paid homage to Apple co-founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs, who died Wednesday, aged 56.
Google added an unadorned text honoring Steve Jobs on its home page, a small online-tribute that reads: “Steve Jobs, 1955-2011.”
Despites Apple and Google being major rivals Google still took the time to commemorate the Oct. 5 passing of Jobs, showing a mutual respect for the tech. innovator.
At one time, they were even close allies, with Google’s former CEO, Eric Schmidt, joining Apple’s Board of Directors.
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin shared their reflections on Job’s life and legacy on Google+, the company’s new social network.
Page highlighted Job’s achievements and focus on people:
“I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me. He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well. My thoughts and Google’s are with his family and the whole Apple family.”
Meanwhile, Brin refers to Jobs as an inspiration for vision and leadership:
“From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met.”
“On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much. My condolences to family, friends, and colleagues at Apple.”
Jobs is survived by his wife Laurene and four children.