Coming as saddening and shocking news, the former CEO of Apple Inc. Steve Jobs has passed away at the young age of 56.

The computer pioneer and the brains behind the iPhone, iPod and iPad has been battling cancer and ill health for years while having stepped away from his job this summer.

Jobs, who survived pancreatic cancer in 2009, took an indefinite leave of absence from the company at the beginning of 2011 to battle an undisclosed medical issue - making for his third medical leave in recent years.

Reports tell that Steve passed away in California on Wednesday (October 5), while Apple Inc. officials announced the sad news in a simple tribute on the firm's website.

A full-page black and white image of Jobs was accompanied by the words, "Steve Jobs 1955-2011." The site was later updated with the line, "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being."

A statement from Jobs' family reads, "We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief."

Meanwhile, a representative from Apple adds, "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."

Offering their condolences, celebrities have already started posting tributes to Jobs online, as socialite Kim Kardashian called him a "brilliant man" while Kings of Leon rocker Jared Followill tweeted, "RIP Steve Jobs. You changed many lives in a lot of ways."