At the age of 56, Steve Jobs, the co-founder and creative genius behind Apple, passed away Wednesday after a seven-year battle against pancreatic cancer.
Remembering
Chambersburg resident Kelsey Elser discovered the news of Jobs' untimely demise via the Internet.
The 18-year-old said she was more than shocked.
"I was really sad, my heart just dropped," she said.
Apple lovers everywhere took to social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, with most recognizing the magnitude of Jobs' inventions on the world.
"Steve Jobs was a very good man. He did a lot for Apple. He did a lot for the computer industry as a whole. It's one of those things you just can't have a person like that not around," said David Frey, assistant manager at Sunrise Computers and Electronics.
Though she never met him, Lila Rajabion, an information technology instructor at Penn State Mont Alto, said that she almost felt a personal connection to the inventor.
"He wasn't part of my family, but he was basically kind of a hero for all IT people. (He) inspired me personally, because he loved what he did," she said. "He basically showed people that design in (not) just how things would look but how things would work."
"He's going to be looked at as the innovator of our time, the innovator of our generation," Good said. "There's not too many other people like that."
The legacy of Jobs and Apple began with the iMac, which was a changing point in the industry, Frey said.
"That's probably one of the biggest things that has ever happened," he said. "That has basically changed how we use computers and that was basically step one to where we are now."
The ability to find out about the death of Jobs minutes after it happened is a testament to the technology he provided the world, Good said.
"As much as people would say the Internet pushes us apart, I think it also brings us together," he said. "The legacy that Steve and Apple have left everybody is the technology of bringing the world closer together. It's made the world a little bit smaller place."
Chambersburg resident Ian Downing, who owns an iPhone, was "shocked" when he learned about the passing of Jobs.
"I got on my browser on my Apple product and saw it," he said. "Now I'm kind of wondering what's going to happen to Apple. I felt as if he was the vision of Apple."
Future of Apple
On Tuesday, Apple announced the release of the iPhone 4S, which includes improved features, such as a better camera and worldwide usage for Verizon customers.
"You have one device that you can use with pretty much any carrier -- U.S. or worldwide," Frey said. "There are very, very few phones that you can use anywhere in the world with any carrier."
Despite the passing of Jobs, Apple will continue. Newly appointed CEO Tim Cook has been with Apple for more than 14 years working alongside Jobs, he said.
"I don't think he would leave it in bad hands. I think Apple has a very, very bright future," Good said. "They've got so much momentum at this point in the company that I think we're going to see bigger and better innovations because now they have to prove a point."
Over the next few years, consumers can expect to see "some pretty incredible stuff," whatever that stuff may be, Good said.
Others, such as Dr. Thomas Briggs, associate professor of computer science at Shippensburg University, said they aren't so sure about the standard of quality of Apple products continuing, now that Jobs is gone.
"(Jobs' death) puts the future of Apple computing in an uncertain future," he said.
In the past, every time Jobs announced he had cancer or was taking a break from the company, Apple's stock has gone down. However, Good believes Apple will be just fine.
"We all kind of get nervous because we don't know what the future is going to bring, but I think as with anything you have to move on," he said.
Juliana Mowen, a senior at Chambersburg Area Senior High School, uses an iPod and believes Apple will continue to do well and prosper.
"They've been doing well. Hopefully they'll be able to give us what we need in the future," she said.
Downing said he doesn't know what to expect from Apple, aside from more innovation.
"Everything they've produced so far has been so innovative, I couldn't expect anything less from them," he said.
Appeal of Apple
Apple products have become something people use in every aspect of their life, from daily communication to games to entertainment to organization, Frey said.
"It's not just a gadget. It becomes a part of your life," he said. "They're simple devices, but there's so much you can do with them. They're elegant."
About 80 percent of Sunrise's business is Apple related, including computers, iPads and iPods, Frey said.
"We're an Apple specialist. Everyone here uses Apples on a daily basis," he said. "So we have a lot of information to help a lot of people. They come in here for that and usually that's what they buy."
Both Frey and Good have agreed that their iPads are their favorite Apple products right now.
"I use it every day, multiple hours a day for everything from playing games to checking my e-mail, surfing the web," Frey said. "In every aspect of my life it does something for me."
The iPad allows users to do everything they would on a laptop or desktop computer, but do it virtually any place, Good said.
CASHS seniors Jeremy Sugdun and Brittney Hickey agreed that Apple products tend to dominate.
"They're the best in their categories," Sugdun said.
Franklin County reacts to the death of Steve Jobs
As the news of Apple Inc. CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs' death was brought to the masses via the Internet, news outlets and just plain old word of mouth, Franklin County residents provided their own words on the event.
Some mourners paid tribute to not only Jobs but his inventions.
"RIP Steve Jobs. I never could afford an Apple product, but I want one in the future." by @ megakoolkid09
"Thank you Steve Jobs 4 creating my iPhone and iPod. The world will miss u. - Missy" by @ MissyAndMisty
Others took his remarkable life as motivation to succeed themselves.
"WOW, Steve Jobs has changed my life!! #RIPstevejobs" by @danellelocke
"'Love what you do...Live every day as if it's your last ' Steve Jobs. http://t.co/V9C4ypTQ" by @ RosalieMarcus
Most people were just plain sad.
"I'm not crying...I just ate a spicy burrito. :( Steve Jobs 1955-2011" by @ ScooterComputer
"RIP Steve Jobs, we will miss you. http://t.co/C2raCFWY" by @TechSupportGuy
"Rip Steve Jobs our hats are off to ya sir :-(" by @ThinkEzIT
Still others recognized his genius
"He was the DaVinci of our generation. #RIP Steve Jobs" by @ ECU_ALUM
"Rip Steve jobs...a genius died this day" by @ nbrookens
"RT @ECU_ALUM: He was the DaVinci of our generation. #RIP Steve Jobs" by @ CtownManly
"R.I.P. Steve Jobs loss of an icon, our Genius." by @ techphoto
Some didn't know about his accomplishments
"i didn't even know who steve jobs was, until today. now that he is dead." by @ allieerler8
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