Tech Talk

Apple dedicated its homepage to its founder with this image within minutes of announcing Steve Jobs' death.

Apple visionary, co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs has died. He was 56. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for years.

Jobs, known for his signature black turtleneck, stepped down as CEO about a month ago. He had founded the company when he was 21.

Jobs had a knack of revolutionizing industries and inventing products that the world didn’t realize it needed — but quickly come to depend.

Apple launched the Macintosh computer in 1984 under Jobs’ leadership.

However, in 1986, he left the company in a power struggle.

Ten years later, he returned and helped transform the then-struggling technology company into the giant it is today.

At the time of his departure, he wrote: “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.”

However, he remained Chairman of the Board of the company, as well as director and a beloved Apple employee.

He recommended Tim Cook, who was formerly the company’s COO, take his place. Cook gave his first keynote speech in the position a day before Jobs’ death when the new iPhone 4S was annnounced.

Apple’s board of directors has just put out a statement on the passing of its great visionary and former CEO, Steve Jobs:

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

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.

Within minutes of the news, Apple dedicated its homepage to Jobs, who was born in 1955, with the following statement:

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

Steve jobs will be missed.

Get the latest news here on Jobs’ life and death from the Associated Press.

Great news: The complete Beatles collection is now available for download.

The Fab Four’s 13 legendary remastered studio albums, the two-volume “Past Masters” compilation and the classic “Red” and “Blue” collections are available for purchase and download on Apple’s iTunes.

Single albums are available for purchase and download for $12.99 each, double albums for $19.99 each and individual songs for $1.29 each. The “Beatles Box Set,” available for $149, contains the 13 remastered studio albums with iTunes LPs and all mini-documentaries, “Past Masters,” and the “Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964” concert film, a worldwide iTunes exclusive which captures the Beatles’ very first U.S. concert in its entirety

“We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said Sir Paul McCartney in an Apple press release. “It’s fantastic to see the songs we originally released on vinyl receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around.”

“I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes,” added Ringo Starr. “At last, if you want it — you can get it now — The Beatles from Liverpool to now! Peace and Love, Ringo.”

“We love the Beatles and are honored and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. “It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.”

Beatles fans wishing not to spend any money right now could enjoy an early holiday gift from Apple. The technology company is allowing iTunes users to watch the “Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964” concert film for free for the remainder of the year.

This decision is a smart one for both the Beatles and Apple.

For the technology giant, it fills the one big hole it had in its music collection.

For the legendary rock band, it ensures their epic sound continues to resonate long into the future.

It will also undoubtedly lead to yet another spike in their popularity — and lead to even more record sales.

The Sony Walkman ushered in a new generation of technology — and with it a definition of what it means to be cool.

Thirty-one years ago the world was a different place.

Among the goings-on in 1979:

• Margaret Thatcher became prime minister of the United Kingdom;
• The Soviets invaded Afghanistan;
• Tom Wolfe had “The Right Stuff”;
• Three Mile Island threatened to have a melt down; and
• The world’s masses was first able to transport their most happening tunes with them wherever they went.

Of course, the Walkman’s quality was nowhere near the digital purity Apple’s iPod would offer a generation later — nor would it risk unspooling listeners’ favorite beats. But it nonetheless revolutionized our music-listening habits.

And for all of that, the world has moved on. And Sony has announced that it would no longer be manufacturing the cassette-playing device, according to media reports.

However, all is that not lost. While Sony may no longer be manufacturing the universe-shifting device, several companies in China will continue to under licensing agreements. But still, an era has ended and the world will never be quite the same.

Verizon Wireless customers who have wanted an Apple iPad, but not the headaches that came with having to deal with two wireless companies should get their credit cards ready. Verizon will begin selling the gadget on Oct. 28 at more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless stores across the United States.

According to Verizon Wireless:

Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for just $20 a month. In addition, Verizon Wireless will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

Although GeekOSystem is quick to note:

Verizon will be selling the Wi-Fi model only, and not ‘true’ 3G: For 3G-like service, you’ll need to but the iPad bundled with a MiFi mobile hotspot, the data plan for which is $20/month for one GB of data.

However, the most significant part of the announcement is the growing relationship between Verizon Wireless and Apple. This is not a good day for AT&T.

It all began simply enough.

Chelsea Isaacs, who is pursuing a journalism degree at Long Island University, was assigned to write a story on the implementation of an iPad program on campus, according to the Guardian. She naturally turned to Apple, the maker of the iPad, for an interview — as any journalist should. Sounds simple enough, right?

Any technology writer who has ever had to deal with Apple’s media relations department is likely to attest to how difficult it is can be to receive answers to even the most simple of questions from the technology giant. The same journalists are also likely to suggest that persistence can pay off.

Isaacs contacted Apple’s press office six times, according to the British publication. As her deadline approached and grew increasingly concerned, she scoured the Web for a way to contact Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer.

And then something extraordinary happened — he, or someone from within the company using his name, responded to her e-mail — and then another e-mail and then another e-mail. She was ultimately told: “Please leave us alone.”

When the Guardian contacted Apple about the chain of e-mails, it received no response. Tech Talk received the same.

However, the publication does report: “We’re quite confident that they come from within Apple (they come from the 17.x.x.x IP range, which is assigned to Apple)…”

You can read the e-mail chain on the Guardian website.

Tech Talk commends Chelsea on her persistence and then willingness to report Jobs’ comments.

While Chelsea did not do everything perfectly. She should have considered restating her questions in the e-mail to Mr. Jobs, for one thing. She should have also not taken his response so personally. However, what is important is that she stood her ground — which is critical for any journalist.

If this is any indication of her work ethic, she is on the road to a very successful career. It is refreshing to see a journalist — regardless of age — who is not afraid to call out an entity — regardless of size. And here’s hoping her professor gave her the A she so deserved.

A venture capitalist hopes to equip 1,000 livery cars in New York City with WiFi by early fall, the Wall Street Journal reports — and then blanket the city with roaming hotspots.

The plan calls for free, advertising-supported wireless Internet access for passengers and anyone within about 400 feet of the vehicles, the newspaper reports.

While the plan would directly benefit the passengers in the WiFi-enabled vehicles, anyone around the vehicles would also benefit as long as the car is idling — which happens a lot in the city. And if technology expands and allows WiFi to work like cell phones, the plan could make WiFi available throughout large parts of the city.

The vehicles, the Journal reports, will also have nearly a dozen plugs to charge gadgets like iPads, iPhones and BlackBerrys.

Now perhaps the livery cabs will be worth their steep prices.

Apple released more unfortunate news on Friday.

The highly anticipated white iPhone 4 has been delayed — again.

In a statement, Apple stated:

White models of Apple’s new iPhone 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.

ZDNet reports that some have speculated the delay may be a result of engineers revisiting the poor antenna. However, the technology news site reports that the speculation seems unlikely — and likely has more to do with supply issues.

But don’t be down, we posted several iPhone 4-related videos to cheer you up. Check them out here. And check out more iPhone coverage here.

Although the iPhone 4 may not be as good as its predecessors — and may drop more calls than phones a half decade older, at least it offers the opportunity for a good laugh. Tech Talk strongly supports laughter, and so rather than offering a lengthy narrative, today, we offer some videos originally collected by Tech Crunch at Apple’s expense:

Warning: Some of the videos may offend some folks, so viewer discretion is advised.

To read more about the iPhone 4, check out previous Tech Talk posts here. To check out more iPhone 4-related videos, please click here.

UPDATE: Apple may need a good laugh more than ever. News was just released that it’s white iPhone 4 would be delayed — yet again. Tech Talk has the scoop. Check it out here.