Steve Jobs: Top 10 Achievements of the World's Greatest Tech Icon (PHOTOS)

Steve Jobs, the co- founder of Apple and one of the most well-known innovators, visionaries and geniuses in the world, died on Oct. 5, shocking the whole world.

Jobs had been suffering from a pancreatic cancer. His gaunt appearance had always drawn close attention and made people question his health.

On Wednesday, Apple, the most valuable company in the world, announced Jobs' death, saying, "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."

The death of tech wizard triggered grief and sorrow as condolence messages poured out in Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites.

Start the slideshow to see the top 10 biggest achievements of Steve Jobs.

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1. Establish the Most Valuable Company

Jobs established Apple on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California and helped it to become one of the most admired, influential and valuable companies in the world.

2. iPhone

iPhone, which was released in January 2007, has become the singular most popular smartphone and is the gold standard in the smartphone industry.

The iPhone first went on sale on June 29, 2007 for $499 (4GB) and $599 (8GB) with an AT&T contract. Over the next few years, Apple rolled out newer versions of iPhone even as it subsidized the price of the handset.

Since June 2007 release, Apple has sold nearly 100 million iPhones so far.

3. iPod

iPod has evolved to include various models targeting the wants of different users, since its launch on October 23, 2001.

iPods heralds the new era of digital l music. The users can also use them as external storage devices for their compact size and generous storage capacity.

Without doubt, iPod has become popular. Since October 2004, the iPod line has dominated digital music player sales in the U.S., with over 90 percent of the market for hard drive-based players and over 70 percent of the market for all types of players.

Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Apple Inc, announced at the September 9, 2009 keynote presentation that total cumulative sales of iPods exceeded 220 million.

4. iPad

When iPad was unveiled in January 27, 2010, Jobs called it a "magical" device but many people scoffed at the iPad, saying only early adopters would own it. However, Apple proved them wrong.

As of now, iPad has become the most popular tablet in the world. According to some analysts, Apple sold 15 million units iPad in 2010. This year, it will increase to over 50 million in terms of worldwide shipments.

According to a new survey from Baird Research & Insights, some 93 percent of consumers who already own a tablet own an iPad and 94.5 percent of potential purchasers are considering buying the Apple tablet.

5. Mac Family

Mac family, including MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini , iMac and Mac Pro, is Job's another contribution for the world .

Since the launch of Mac line of desktops and notebooks, Apple has boasted that it makes better sense to upgrade from a PC to a Mac as a Mac has better hardware, better software, a better OS, better support, it doesn't get PC virus, it works with existing PC file and you can also install Windows on a Mac to run the occasional Windows application you just can't live without.

6. Mac OS X

Mac OS X, another great contribution of Jobs, has become one of the most talked about software platforms.

Mac OS X 10.0 (codename: Cheetah) was released on March 24, 2001 and since then it has helped Apple drive sale of its Mac range of desktops.

The latest iteration of OS X - OS X 10.7 (Lion) - was released on July 20, 2011 and includes a plethora of features such as Multi-touch Gestures, Full Screen Apps, Mission Control, LaunchPad, Resume, AutoSave, Versions, AirDrop, Finder, iCal, Time Machine and FileVault 2.

7. Apple Culture

There is perhaps no company that boasts of so many fan followers as Apple does. There's even a name for Apple fans - Apple fanboys.

Apple users also have a strong solidarity and swear by the name. There was a time when Mac users would meet at the European Apple Expo and the San Francisco Macworld Conference & Expo trade shows where Apple traditionally introduced new products each year to the industry and public until Apple pulled out of both events. Though Apple does not have official representation there, the conferences still continue.

8. The Design is King

Jobs is crazy for the design. He had even studied calligraphy instruction in Reed College after he quit from his university, according to his famous speech in Stanford in 2005. Ten years later, he used the design into the first Macintosh computer, combining aesthetic appearance and business together perfectly.

9. Privacy Policy

Apple is notoriously secretive about new product launches and it has helped pique consumers' curiosity. This is another master stroke of Jobs. As we know, Apple's every move is kept secret until it has already become the truth. Not only the secretive nature of the company helps Apple protect the intellectual properties of its products, but also it has worked as a highly effective marketing tool.

10. Integrate Hardware and Software

When Microsoft was still a technology giant, people believed only software is the leading force in technology. However, Jobs used Apple as a typical example to prove that hardware can also do it.

Apple has mastered the way of seamlessly integrating hardware and software and the results are iPhone, iPad, iPod - devices that have become leaders in their respective market segments.