THE BUZZ: Apple has confirmed that Apple co-founder—and, until recently, CEO—Steve Jobs has died. The Apple homepage now features a full-page image of Jobs with the simple epitaph: Steve Jobs — 1955-2011.

In a brief statement, the company said, “We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve’s brilliance, passion, and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.”

Jobs and friend Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple in 1976—working out of a garage—and together the pair designed what many consider to be the world’s first practical home computer, the Apple II. Through the years, Jobs’ innovation could be felt throughout the computer industry, as his company introduced products such as the Macintosh, which popularized the use of a mouse and user-friendly interface with windows.

Jobs also started Pixar, the computer-graphics and animation company that would eventually join the Disney family—and responsible for many of this generation’s most popular animated features, including Toy Story, Cars, Up, and The Incredibles, to name a few.

More recently, Jobs made unbelievable headway with digital music, introducing the ubiquitous iPod and the iTunes music service, which has come to dominate the digital-music landscape. He parlayed this success to break into the telecommunications industry with the best-selling iPhone. The most recent iterations of the iPod and iPhone were introduced in a press conference from Apple headquarters just yesterday.

Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004, and somehow managed to defy the odds of the merciless killer, living seven years after first being diagnosed. In 2009, he underwent a liver transplant as a result of his illness and treatments.

On August 24 of this year, Jobs announced he was giving up the job of Apple CEO, although he expressed his wishes to remain involved. In his letter, Jobs wrote, “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. Unfortunately, that day has come.”

Jobs was 56.

EGM’s TAKE: There are no words to express our sadness at his untimely passing. A true genius, Jobs gave those of us who are self-professed geeks so many of the tools of our trade. He always strived to take technology to its next level and give us the products of the future. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone at Apple. He will be sorely missed.

Apple has set up an e-mail for fans to send there rememberences of Jobs: rememberingsteve@apple.com