Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has released a statement paying tribute to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who died on Wednesday.
The former head of Microsoft said he was "truly saddened" to hear of Jobs' passing and saluted the "profound impact" he had on the world.
"I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death," said a statement released through his spokesperson.
"Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.
"Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.
"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come."
"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."
Storied rivalry
Microsoft and Apple have, of course, had a storied rivalry lasting over 30 years.
Jobs and Gates had locked horns while the rival Macintosh and Windows platforms went head-to-head throughout the 80s and 90s, and right up until Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2008.
Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen also released a statement calling Jobs a "unique pioneer and auteur."
Allen said: "My condolences to Steve Jobs' family and friends. We've lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products. Steve fought a long battle against tough odds in a very brave way. He kept doing amazing things in the face of all that adversity. As someone who has had his own medical challenges, I couldn't help but be encouraged by how he persevered."
Barack Obama, Disney thank Jobs
US President Barrack Obama tweeted: "Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. From all of us at #Obama2012, thank you for the work you make possible every day—including ours."
Also among those paying tribute was Bob Igner, president and CEO of Disney, where Jobs was on the board.
"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor, he said. "His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined."
Schmidt: 'One of the greatest'
"Steve Jobs is the most successful CEO in the U.S. of the last 25 years," says Google's executive chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt.
"He uniquely combined an artists touch and an engineers vision to build an extraordinary company. One of the greatest American leaders in history."
We'll have more tributes to Steve Jobs as the inevitably roll in from within and beyond the world of tech.
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