In one of those Mark Twain moments, the news of Steve Jobs’ death has been greatly exaggerated. His obituary was accidentally sent out to clients by Bloomberg News wire, marked “Hold for release – Do not use.”
But the Apple boss, who was treated for pancreatic cancer in 2004, is still very much alive.
The 2,500 word piece, which left the age and cause of death blank, described Job as a man who “helped make personal computers as easy to use as telephones, changed the way animated films are made, persuaded consumers to tune into digital music and refashioned the mobile phone.”
The obituary also contains praise from rival Bill Gates.
The obituary was quickly retracted, and in a message Bloomberg News said:
“An incomplete story referencing Apple Inc. was inadvertently published by Bloomberg News at 4:27 p.m. New York time today. The item was never meant for publication and has been retracted.”
It’s common practice for newspapers and news services to regularly update obituaries.
