Steve Jobs

In a casting move that is likely to stir up a bit of controversy, Ashton Kutcher will portray Steve Jobs in an upcoming movie.

The Two and a Half Men star will take on the iconic role of the Apple founder in Jobs, an independent film written by Matt Whiteley and directed by Joshua Michael Stern. It will begin shooting next month.

Jobs passed away in October and is widely recognized as one of the finest, most innovative minds of our time.

Kutcher stars on a sitcom that revolves around penis jokes and has been in the news for the last year due to his own wandering unit and an affair with Sara Leal that led to his divorce from Demi Moore.

What do you think of Kutcher portraying Jobs on the big screen?

Russell Brand has Tweeted a hilarious confession to recent allegations that he ganked some paparazzi dude's iPhone and hucked it through a window.

The zany British comedian is accused of ripping an iPhone right out of the hands of a paparazzo in New Orleans and firing it toward a local law firm.

Police are investigating, but Russell Tweeted the following mea culpa:

Wonder if that would hold up in court. Genius, in any case ... but THG does not condone window assaults via iPhone every time you see one misused.

Unlike Chris Brown, who's also being investigated for stealing an iPhone, Brand has since offered to pay for the device, as well as the window he broke.

Watch the throne ... Steve Jobs.

Kanye West, who has never been accused of thinking small, or having a modest opinion of himself, detailed plans for a new production company on Twitter Wednesday.

In a three-hour rant, the 34-year-old rapper / hip-hop mogul outlined his plan for Donda, a brand-new, far-reaching company named after his late mother Donda West.

Donda will "pick up where Steve Jobs left off," West said of the late, visionary Apple CEO / founder. Way to set manageable expectations. How will it do that, exactly, Kanye?

With 22 divisions of writers, DJs, publicists, designers, musicians, scientists and SO much more, the company headed by the musician will strive to "make products and experiences that people want and can afford," West Tweeted.

He will "help simplify and aesthetically improve everything we see hear, touch, taste and feel," and "dream of, create, advertise and produce products driven equally by emotional want and utilitarian need... To marry our wants and needs."

Again, no baby steps for Mr. West.

Even Bill O'Reilly will have a hard time arguing this one.

On Wednesday, Barbara Walters announced her annual 10 Most Fascinating People list, and overtaking big names like Simon Cowell, Pippa Middleton, Katy Perry and the Kardashians was one person whose impact and legacy transcend all of them combined:

The late Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs: Most Fascinating Person of the Year

The co-founder of Apple and the man responsible for numerous technology innovations that shape our lives on a daily basis, Jobs passed away this fall at age 56.

First diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004, Jobs recovered, but it returned, and in 2009, he underwent a liver transplant. He resigned this summer as CEO.

At that point he became Walters' choice immediately, even though she never got to interview the man. Jobs is the first deceased Most Fascinating Person.

Truly a once-in-a-generation mind, Jobs was taken from us far too soon, but not before transforming technology - and modern life - in profound ways.

His fingerprints are on everything from the iTunes store to the iPod, iPhone, iPad, Pixar films and even the mouse. Yes, the mouse. In a word, he was awesome.

Steve Jobs: Good choice for Most Fascinating Person?

The release of Steve Jobs' biography by Walter Isaacson has been given the obligatory NMA treatment. What did the Taiwanese animators of current events do with this?

It's no Tiger Woods scandal reenactment, but it's close.

Ghost Steve Jobs as a technical Obi-Wan Kanobi, appearing before Tim Cook in hologram form, projected via iPhone 4: Too soon? Probably. Too funny? Definitely.

Steve Jobs Biography Release: NMA Style

Steve Jobs passed away just a few weeks before the release of his widely-anticipated biography. According to the book (or at least Next Media Animation), Jobs:

• Didn't ask to read his biography
• Wished he'd had surgery to fight cancer sooner
• Told Barack Obama he would become a one-term president
• Told Bill Gates to broaden his horizons by dropping acid
• Can use the Force to guide Apple from the great beyond
• Plans to nuke Google and Android

Why read the book after this brilliant, cartoonish synopsis?

The morons at the Westboro Baptist Church announced plans last night to protest Steve Jobs' funeral, but even they can't resist Apple's really cool tech stuff.

Margie Phelps, daughter of the church’s founder and a lawyer who represented the church during their First Amendment case at the Supreme Court (which Westboro won), Tweeted about the death of Steve Jobs using ... wait for it ...

Her iPhone.

“Westboro will picket his funeral. He had a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin,” Margie tweeted, apparently unable to appreciate the irony in embracing the cutting-edge advancements of a decent man they somehow condemn.

One church member, Shirley Phelps-Roper, offered this take: She suggested that God was manipulating Jobs to help advance the message of Westboro Baptist Church, writing: “God used Steve Jobs to create amazing STUFF for WBC to preach!”

Amen, sister.

The Topeka, Kansas based church believes God punishes America for its tolerance of sin, acceptance of homosexuality, and so on. They often have demonstrated - legally but reprehensibly - at funerals of celebrities and armed service personnel.

They can suck it.

Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder who died yesterday at the age of 56, literally touched the lives of millions of people. There's a good chance you read about his passing on your MacBook, iPad or iPhone.

Thanks to such influence, the Twitterverse was filled last night with notes of prayer and best wishes to Jobs' family, including countless messages passed along by celebrities from around the country. We've included a few below.

Steve Jobs Introduces the iPad

Nicki Minaj: An innovator. Contributed so much to this generation & beyond. RIP Steve Jobs.

Ellen DeGeneres: I just finished my show and I heard the news about Steve Jobs. He was an amazing man with an incredible vision. He changed the world.

Neil Patrick Harris: Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. Your genius will live on for generations to come...

Jon Favreau: We lost a man of true vision today. Condolences to the whole Apple family.

Mindy Kaling: Hard not to think how much Steve Jobs could’ve done with more years. So sad. You’re the best, Steve.

Damon Lindelof: Steve Jobs. On behalf of every dreamer sitting in his or her garage who is crazy enough to try to change the world, you will be missed.

Kim Kardashian: Wow Steve Jobs died! He was a brilliant man!

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple and the man responsible for numerous technology innovations that shape our lives on a daily basis, has passed away.

He was 56.

Jobs announced in 2004 that he suffered from a rare form of pancreatic cancer and had a tumor removed later that year, but he continued to deal with a number of health problems since then.

In 2009, after stating his "health-related issues were more complex than I thought," Jobs underwent a liver transplant. Less than two months ago, he resigned as CEO of Apple, telling the public he could no longer meet the "duties and expectations" for himself in that position.

Apple - which released its latest iPhone model this week - released a statement soon after Jobs passed away. It reads: "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."

Our thoughts go out to Jobs' family and loved ones.

Steve Wozniak says his fellow Apple co-founder Steve Jobs needs to relax.

In the wake of Jobs stepping down as CEO of the company they both founded, the Woz said, "Steve needs now to just have some 'Steve time' ... He deserves it."

Why? Not just because of his physical health problems, but mentally.

"[Jobs] really has had to sacrifice a lot to run Apple ... I mean, just your time, everybody wants you day and night, that's what I mean by sacrifices."

"He has given his all. It takes so much out of anyone to be under just constant pressure and demands like that," Wozniak said of his fellow mogul.

As to the future of Apple, Wozniak is optimistic: "Remember, [Jobs] was surrounded by great, great people at Apple ... those people are still there."

It's true. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, who will take over as Apple CEO, has effectively run the company since Jobs' medical leave in January.

Short story: The iPad 3 and iPhone 5 are gonna be so awesome.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs has resigned from his position, the tech company announced Wednesday. He made his intentions clear in a letter.

Jobs' letter to the board and employees did not mention his recurring and serious health problems, but it was clearly alluded to in the words he chose:

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know."

"Unfortunately, that day has come."

Jobs, who took medical leave in January, will remain on as Chairman and former Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook will take over as Apple CEO.

He co-founded Apple in 1976, was ousted in 1985 and returned in 1996, when be began building it into the world's most valuable technology company.

Many assumed this was inevitable given his condition. Ironically, Jobs has been feeling a bit better lately - even making regular visits to the office.

What Jobs' resignation means long-term for Apple is obviously unclear, but the company's stock is already down $17.66 (-4.69%) in pre-market trading.

Read his full resignation letter here.

[Photo: WENN.com]