Oh how the world of mobile technology has changed in just 12 short months. Last year at this time, there were no 4G LTE phones available and all Android tablets ran on version 2.2 or earlier of Google’s OS. Steve Jobs was still with us last December, but Siri was not. AT&T hadn’t made a bid for T-Mobile yet, while both Skype and Motorola remained independent companies.

With technology moving so quickly, it’s easy to lose track of 2011′s most-important trends and events. Here are the top 12 mobile tech stories of the year, all of which will continue to affect our daily lives well into 2012 and beyond.

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Steve Jobs Dies

On October 5th, Apple announced that founder Steve Jobs had lost his long battle with liver cancer. With his passing, the tech world lost its brightest and most visible star, while Apple fans lost a spiritual leader.

Jobs will long be remembered for his countless contributions to the technology industry—from the original Mac to the iPhone—and his unrelenting focus on building simple, but elegant products. New CEO Tim Cook promised to honor Jobs' memory by continuing his work.

• 10 Most Memorable Steve Jobs Moments
• Steve Jobs' Legacy: Humans Before Specs
• 5 Things Apple Should Do That Steve Jobs Wouldn't