Steve Jobs’ Legacy Lives On With Apple Customers At Brandon Mall

Steve Jobs was alive and well Thursday morning in the .

The college dropout who brought us nothing less than a revolution in personal computers and communications with the Macintosh, iPod and iPhone may have died Oct. 5 after a long battle with cancer, but he was still inspiring and amazing customers at the Apple Store.

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose,” Jobs said at his now-celebrated 2005 commencement address at Stanford University.

But when it came to the man himself, Apple customers would not agree. They have lost their Thomas Edison.

“For my generation, he was just that, our Edison,” said Nathaniel Halle. “It was very sad and upsetting to hear he had died. He was an icon for everything he did. He barely got by high school, and yet his story is still inspiring people.

"I am not sure we will see someone like him again in the computer industry,” said Halle, who was on his way into the Apple Store to buy a MacBook.

Stephanie Engle has owned a MacBook for more than a year. She won’t be going back to a PC any time soon.

“It’s the best personal computer by far. Steve Jobs really brought the personal computer along in terms of design and technology.”

Hundreds of shoppers grazed the thoroughfares of the mall Thursday, avoiding the looks of hungry-eyed salespeople eager to snare a customer on a quiet morning. Free trials and trinkets lured a few, but mostly the sales staff had to content themselves with sprucing up their storefronts and displays.

They had no such problem at the Apple Store. Amid the garish and street-chic signage, a single silver apple hung over the entrance. Simple, elegant and efficient, it said everything about the products inside. And unlike the majority of its neighbors, the Apple Store was full.  

“It’s the picture quality and sensitivity of the touch screen that really sets it apart,” said Chris Bradford of his new iPhone. “Steve Jobs was the person behind that. He was the bite behind Apple. There’s a definite void now that he is gone. Apple changed the way we do so many things. The other companies are playing catch-up, and I think they will be for a while.”

Mackie Knight also mourned the passing of the computer icon, pointing to Jobs’ work with PIXAR, the animation company. Jobs bought PIXAR in 1986.

“He changed the way we use computers and cell phones, but he also was a huge influence in the technology of animation.”

The death of Jobs was news to Jennifer Rose.

“I knew he was sick but I hadn’t heard he died. Apple inspired so many other products,” Rose said. “They just produced a solid and reliable product. It will be interesting to see who steps into that void now.”