Photographers outside an Apple Store in New York strain to take of shot of candles, flowers, and an iPhone with Steve Jobs

Cameron praises ‘genius’ of Steve Jobs as world pays tribute

Cameron praises ‘genius’ of Steve Jobs as world pays tribute

By politics.co.uk staff

David Cameron has led political tributes to Steve Jobs, the Apple founder who passed away overnight.

Across the world, figures from across politics, technology and the arts have issued statements praising the innovative businessman, whose products stood as a byword for user-friendly advances in technology.

"Steve Jobs transformed the way we work and play; a creative genius who will be sorely missed," the prime minister said.

"Our thoughts are with his family."

Former prime minister Tony Blair said: "Steve was an extraordinary and creative human being, an inspiration and an innovator who believed that by the power of ideas the world could be transformed.

"As much as anyone in any walk of life in the early 21st century he changed people's lives simply by imagination and determination. His memory will serve as a symbol of what the human mind can achieve."

US President Barack Obama said: "There may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented."

Even Jobs' bitter commercial rivals from Sony, Samsung and Nokia paid tribute. Google featured a short inscription at the bottom of its search tool.

The Apple's chief's secrecy over his health continued even after his death, with little news emerging about the circumstances of his death.

Jobs fought cancer in 2004 and underwent a liver transplant in 2009.