Steve Jobs
Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs speaks to the media at the launch of the European iTunes online music store in London, in this June 15, 2004 file photograph. Apple announced that Jobs resigned as CEO on August 24, 2011. Tim Cook, the company's Chief Operating Officer, who has been standing in for Jobs during his medical leave, has been named the new CEO, with Jobs becoming Chairman. Reuters

Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, one of the greatest entrepreneurs of the time has submitted his resignation to the board of directors on Wednesday.

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, Mr. Jobs said in his resignation letter. Unfortunately, that day has come.

This was hardly a surprise as Steve Jobs was ill for a long time and rumors about his departure was in the air, but his pulling himself off of the massive carrier had shocked a lot of people.

Some of the tweet reactions that followed the announcement:

Harry McCracken, founder of Technologizer and TIME columnist tweeted: “ Still unimaginable: that Jobs was the most important person in personal technology both in 1978 and in 2011.”

Benedict Evans, tech analyst, tweeted: “How much of Apple in the next 5 years is genius versus great execution of the right model? iPhone, iPad and Airplay are locked in place.”

Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money tweeted, “ Very sad news about Steve Jobs at $AAPL. He is America’s greatest industrialist. Perhaps the greatest ever.”

Nicholas Carlson, Deputy Editor at Business Insider, wrote, “Stop and look around at the things Jobs imagined and then willed into reality. Incredible vision. 2x as incredible execution.”
Josh Topolsky, Editor In Chief of This Is My Next, ex-Engadget Editor In Chief, tweeted, “This is now officialy the craziest two weeks in the history of tech.”

Marco Arment, Mac developer and pundit tweeted, “You’ve defined a generation and changed the world. Thank you. We wish you the best.”

David Pogue, New York Times tech columnist tweeted, “I agree with you all that Apple is teeming with geniuses. But Jobs added a single, pure vision that will be tough to maintain by committee.”

Michael Arrington, Editor In Chief and CEO of Techcrunch wrote, “This just plain sucks.”

While submitting his resignation, Steve Jobs “strongly recommended” that the board name Cook as his successor.