The ubiquitous electronic media that Steve Jobs helped create are filled with tributes to his life by mourners.

Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. who changed the daily habits of millions by reinventing computing, music and mobile phones, passed away yesterday at the age of 56, Reuters reported.

Apple loses a visionary leader who inspired personal computing and iconic products such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, which made Jobs one of the most significant industry leaders of his generation.

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

Jobs’ death after a long battle with pancreatic cancer sparked an outpouring of tributes, as world leaders, business rivals and fans alike lamented his premature passing and celebrated his monumental achievements.

“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,” President Barack Obama said in a statement.

Fans paid homage to Jobs outside Apple stores around the world, from Los Angeles to Sydney. Outside one store in New York City, mourners laid candles, bouquets of flowers, an apple and an iPod Touch in a makeshift memorial.

In San Francisco, they held up black-and-white portraits of Jobs on their iPads. Some mourners in Tokyo held a sunset vigil, using apps on their iPads to show flickering candles on the screen.

Jobs was surrounded by his wife and immediate family when he died in Palo Alto, Calif., Apple said late Wednesday.