Steve Jobs, the master innovator who brought us the iPod, iPhone and iPad along with many other great Apple products, has died in California. Jobs was 56. Apple's home page, normally lit up with their latest and greatest products, pays tribute to Jobs with a large portrait and "Steve Jobs 1955-2011."

Just yesterday, new CEO Tim Cook made his first appearance at a major announcement, introducing the new iPhone 4S and a refreshed iPod line. Details about the upcoming iOS 5 and iCloud, which Jobs himself revealed in June at the World Wide Developers Conference, also were shared.  Jobs stepped down on August 24 and named Cook his successor.

Jobs was a visionary and master innovator who's impact will be felt for many generations. He can be compared to Thomas Edison, Henry Ford or any of the great inventors who believed, sometimes beyond good reason, that they could change the world with new ideas, perseverance and hard work.

Back in August I shared some thoughts about Jobs and the impact he made on my life. As part of this I shared a video of his commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. The message at the end? "Stay hungry, stay foolish." Words to live by in these trying economic times.

And as I sit here finishing this post on my MacBook Pro while texting on my iPhone, all I can say is: "Thanks, Steve. Rest in peace."

You can sign a guest book for Mr. Jobs, at this link.