Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple who revolutionized the way we use technology, has died after fighting advanced pancreatic cancer since 2004.

In the wake of the death of tech luminary Steve Jobs, who died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, even rivals within the tech industry have issued condolences, statements, and messages even its rival competitors expressed sadness over the death of Jobs.

Samsung CEO honors Steve Jobs, saying he will be “forever remembered by people around the world.”

“Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry and was a great entrepreneur,” Samsung chief G.S. Choi said.

“His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world,” he said in a statement, adding the Korean company was saddened by Jobs’ death.

Perhaps Jobs’ greatest rival, at least during the earlier days of both Microsoft and Apple, was former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, who said:

“I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. 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.”

Then there’s an equally heartfelt statement from another Microsoft leader, Paul Allen, who says “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.”

“I want to express my deepest condolences at the passing of Steve Jobs, one of the founders of our industry and a true visionary. My heart goes out to his family, everyone at Apple and everyone who has been touched by his work.” says Current Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, who once sat on the board of Apple and later sparked a rivalry with Jobs after the development of Android, said:

“Steve Jobs is the most successful CEO in the U.S. of the last 25 years. He uniquely combined an artists touch and an engineers vision to build an extraordinary company… one of the greatest American leaders in history.”

Google’s other leaders share their condolences as well:

“From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met. On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much. My condolences to family, friends, and colleagues at Apple.” Says Google’s co-founder and CEO Sergey Brin.

“I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me. He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well. My thoughts and Google’s are with his family and the whole Apple family.”

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop also responded to the news:

“Steve’s passion for simplicity and elegance leaves us all a legacy that will endure for generations. Today, my thoughts, and those of everyone at Nokia are with the friends and family that he leaves behind.”