Steve Jobs, the transcendent Silicon Valley entrepreneur who reinvented the world's computing, music and mobile phone industries and changed the daily habits of millions around the globe, died on Wednesday at the age of 56.

Born in San Francisco, the Buddhist and son of adoptive parents started Apple Computer with friend Steve Wozniak in his parent's garage 1976.A college drop-out; Jobs changed the technology world in the late 1970s, when the Apple II became the first personal computer to gain a wide following. The rebel streak that's central to his persona got him tossed out of the company in 1985, but he returned in 1997 and after a few years  gave a delight of products -- the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad -- that again upended the established order in major industries.

His death after a years-long battle since 2004 with pancreatic cancer sparked an immediate outpouring of tributes as world leaders, business rivals and fans alike lamented the tragedy of his premature passing and celebrated his monumental achievements.

Jobs stepped down as CEO in August and handed the reins to long-time operations Chief Tim Cook. With a passion for modest design and a genius for marketing, Jobs laid the groundwork for the company to continue to flourish after his death, most analysts and investors say.

"The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.

"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor," said Microsoft's Bill Gates, who once triumphed over Jobs but has seen his legendary status overtaken by the Apple co-founder in recent years.

Fans paid homage to Jobs outside Apple stores around the world. Outside one store in New York City, mourners laid candles, bouquets of flowers; an apple and an iPod Touch in a makeshift memorial.  Many websites, including Apple's own, were transformed into online memorials, a testament to the digital creativity that Jobs inspired. Apple on Wednesday paid homage to its visionary leader by changing its website to a big black-and-white photograph of him with the caption "Steve Jobs: 1955-2011."

"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," Apple said in a statement.

Six years ago, Jobs had talked about how a sense of his mortality was a major driver behind that vision."Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," Jobs said during a Stanford commencement ceremony in 2005.

But Apple still faces challenges in the absence of the man who was its chief product designer, marketing guru and salesman  genius. Phones running Google's Android software are gaining share in the smartphone market, and there are questions over what the next big thing is in Apple's product line.