It's ironic.

Steve Jobs, Apple's visionary CEO, died Wednesday just hours after his replacement, Tim Cook, took the stage in Cupertino, California to unveil the iPhone 4S Tuesday.

Tim Cook, who took over for Jobs as CEO in August of this year, sent a new e-mail to employees in the wake of Jobs' death. In the e-mail, Cook addresses Apple's employees to announce that Jobs has passed and offers reflections on Jobs' influence on the company. Here's the email:

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve's extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve's death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim

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