The world today mourned the death of Apple’s iconic visionary Steve Jobs, with CEOs and political leaders describing him as a “genius” whose ideas will continue to shape the world for generations to come.

Facebook’s Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page, “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said America today lost a genius who will be remembered in the same breath as Edison and Einstein, and whose ideas will shape the world for generations to come.

“In New York City’s government, everyone from street construction inspectors to NYPD detectives have harnessed Apple’s products to do their jobs more efficiently and intuitively.”

Expressing his condolences, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said it had “been an insanely great honour” to work with Jobs, his long-time rival.

“I am truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death.

Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.”

Mr Gates said he had first met Steve nearly 30 years ago, and the two had been “colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.”

He said the world rarely sees someone who has had the “profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely.”

Google Chief Executive Larry Page called Jobs 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.”

Eric Schmidt, chairman of Google and a former Apple board member, described Jobs’ death as a very sad day for everyone.

“Steve defined a generation of style and technology that’s unlikely to be matched again. Steve was so charismatically brilliant that he inspired people to do the impossible, and he will be remembered as the greatest computer innovator in history.”

Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive officer of News Corp, said that in Jobs’ death the world has lost one of its most influential thinkers, creators and entrepreneurs of all time.

“Steve Jobs was simply the greatest CEO of his generation. While I am deeply saddened by his passing, I’m reminded of the stunning impact he had in revolutionizing the way people consume media and entertainment.”

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