Om Malik died two days ago after a long battle with heart disease. The veteran tech journalist sat beside the author at countless Apple keynotes, a pairing Apple PR deliberately staged because of their two‑decade friendship. Colleagues recall Om’s sharp questions, his ability to cut through hype, and the calm presence that steadied any room.

After leading Giga Om and writing for Business 2.0, Forbes and Red Herring, Om shifted to venture investing in 2014, joining True Ventures as a partner. Despite stepping away from daily reporting, his analysis remained a magnet for Apple invites; his reputation alone secured a media badge and kept him in the front‑row of product reveals.

In April he entered Stanford’s ICU, awaiting a heart transplant that never arrived. Even from his hospital bed he produced some of his most incisive columns, proving his shift from breaking‑news blogger to thoughtful essayist. Om’s blend of technical depth and candid critique left an indelible mark on the media community; his absence will be felt immediately.

Friends remember him not just for journalism but for his love of coffee, watches, photography and the New York Yankees. Those passions colored his writing, making complex tech topics relatable. Om Malik’s legacy endures in the essays that still guide readers navigating today’s fast‑moving tech ecosystem.