Remembering Steve Jobs: 14 Years Later

Key Takeaways:

14 years since Steve Jobs’ passing: The visionary who co-founded Apple remains a defining influence on the company’s culture, innovation, and design philosophy.
Tim Cook’s ongoing tributes keep Jobs’ spirit alive: Apple’s CEO often reflects on Jobs’ legacy, crediting his leadership for shaping Apple’s purpose and pursuit of excellence.
Jobs’ design philosophy still drives Apple’s products: His belief that “design is how it works” continues to guide decisions in hardware, software, and user experience.
The Steve Jobs Archive preserves his creative legacy: Through curated quotes, videos, and fellowship programs, the archive helps future innovators learn from his mindset and principles.
Jobs’ cultural impact extends beyond Apple: His storytelling and obsession with simplicity redefined modern technology and continue to inspire creators across industries.

It’s been 14 years since the world lost Steve Jobs, the man who changed how we use technology forever. He passed away on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56, just one day after Apple revealed the iPhone 4S and Siri. His passing marked the end of an era, but his ideas continue to shape Apple and the tech world even today.

Tim Cook’s Heartfelt Tribute to Steve Jobs

As he does every year, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a touching tribute to his friend and mentor. He wrote, “Steve saw the future as a bright and boundless place, lit the path forward, and inspired us to follow. We miss you, my friend.”

Steve saw the future as a bright and boundless place, lit the path forward, and inspired us to follow. We miss you, my friend. pic.twitter.com/0ZF2FLc7Ub
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 5, 2025

Cook’s bond with Jobs has always been strong. Back in 2017, while opening the Steve Jobs Theater, he said, “There is not a day that goes by that we don’t think about him.” That same year, Apple launched the iPhone X, a bold redesign that carried forward the vision Jobs introduced with the original iPhone in 2007.

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How Steve Jobs Still Shapes Apple Today

Even after all these years, Steve Jobs’ fingerprints are still all over Apple. From the clean, minimal hardware design to the way every product just “works,” his belief that “design is how it works” remains a guiding principle.

Jobs didn’t invent the smartphone or the digital music player, but he changed how the world experiences them. His focus on simplicity and user experience led to the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, products that became part of our daily lives. That same spirit lives on in modern devices like the Apple Watch and Vision Pro.

The Steve Jobs Archive Keeps His Vision Alive

Apple still maintains a “Remembering Steve” page where people from around the world share their memories and gratitude. In 2022, Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive, and Tim Cook launched the Steve Jobs Archive, an online space filled with his quotes, emails, and videos. It also runs fellowships to help young creators carry his spirit of innovation forward.

Earlier this year, on what would have been his 70th birthday, the Archive released a rare internal video of Jobs speaking to Apple employees. In it, he said, “One of the ways that I believe people express their appreciation to the rest of humanity is to make something wonderful and put it out there.” It’s a simple statement that perfectly sums up his philosophy.

Steve Jobs’ Legacy Lives On

Steve Jobs wasn’t just a tech visionary, he was a storyteller, a perfectionist, and a dreamer who believed in building products with purpose. His influence still defines Apple’s culture and how we think about technology itself.

Fourteen years later, Apple continues to move forward with the same drive for excellence that Jobs instilled in it. His legacy reminds us that innovation isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing things beautifully and meaningfully.