Regardless of your technological allegiances, we should all pay our respects at the loss of the visionary Steve Jobs.

This week marks Hydrapinion’s 5th birthday, which would normally be reason enough for a spot of introspection. Hydrapinion is also saying goodbye to award-winning freelance tech journo Alex Kidman, who leaves us for cubicleland as the editor of Gizmodo Australia. They’re big shoes to fill, but we’re very pleased to announce that the (also award-winning) David Braue is taking his place - the man who took home the coveted Gold Lizzie at the 2010 ITJourno awards.

Looking back at five years of Hydrapinion posts, it’s hard to find someone who has had more influence on technology than Steve Jobs. Hydrapinion tries to cover the technological spectrum, and it’s clear that Jobs has shaped the way we both work and play.

Part Henry Ford, part Walt Disney and part P.T. Barnum, Jobs forever changed the way we see personal technology. It's a shame he didn't survive to celebrate the upcoming 10th anniversary of the iPod, as it's the device that reshaped the personal technology space. Regardless of make or model, practically every consumer electronics device we have today has been in some way shaped by the iPod and its descendants - all of which Jobs helped bring to life.

Religious metaphors have always dogged Jobs and the Cult of Apple and will continue to so in his death. Just like Moses, Jobs lead his people out of the wilderness but died within sight of the promised land. It seems cruel that a visionary like Jobs didn't live to see his vision fulfilled.

Unfortunately for Apple, the loss of Steve Jobs comes as the Android hordes gather at the gates. Considering this, it's disappointing that the new iPhone 4S is mostly playing catch up rather than leading the way. There’s now a lot riding on the mythical iPhone 5, which will have Jobs’ fingerprints all over it even from beyond the grave.

The man might be gone, but the spirit of Steve Jobs will live on for years to come.