Jesse Stephens Group 1 Apple History
Apple Computers Inc. is a multinational corporation established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Apple Inc., focusing on designing and manufacturing consumer electronics and software, started producing its first computers, The Apple I, and Apple II, in the late 1970's, which assisted in its recognition nationally. In the mid 1980's, Apple helped catapult it's self to stardom by launching one of the most well known television adds during the 1984 super bowl. Shortly there after, on January 24th, 1984, Apple held its first annual shareholders meeting in which the Macintosh Computer was presented. However, after slumping losses in the end of 1984 and continuing in to 1985, Steve Jobs was relieved of his duties as head of the Macintosh division by CEO John Sculley. After leaving Apple, Jobs began his own computer and software company called NeXT Computers which was his response to Apple Lisa. After gaining some market share, NeXT was acquired by Apple for $429 million and Jobs was re-hired to the company he founded, and was quickly elevated to the CEO position.(Apple Computer, 1997). After financing a few new deals, Jobs placed Apple back on track, gaining market share. By opening the first Apple Store in 1997, Jobs directed Apple towards a new 'built-to-order' manufacturing concept, which placed the consumer as the designer of their own product, allowing them to personalize their own products, and give them the chance to have a hands on, test drive, of the latest Apple products.(2008, History)
Steven Wozniak, the other co founder of Apple, was a major player in the companies rise to fame. However, left the company after a near fatal private plane crash in February of 1981 due to retrograde amnesia. After his recovery he had no recollection of the accident and would even forget what the current day was. (Wozniak, 2006). At first, Apple failed at producing digital cameras, portable CD players, and various other video equipment, however, in recent years has seen extreme growth in profits due to an elevated interest in its mobile music electronics such as the Ipod and I-pod touch, as well as penetrating the Smart Phone market by producing the I-phone(Apple History). The release of the I-pod as well as Apple Itunes redefined the mobile media market by allowing the user to upload their entire media collection on to a compact device. Over the past decade the Ipod has been redesigned and improved based on consumer needs as well as pushing the technology to now include video and picture storage. With the release of the Iphone in 2007 Apple was now able to combine an Ipod with a cell phone. The Iphone was again updated with its predecessor the Iphone 3g in 2008 which utilized faster and broader wireless Internet network (Collins, 2008). One of the major phenomena with Apple is its unique brand loyalty with its consumers and over 28,000 employees world wide. Using innovative marketing primarily in its commercials and consumer friendly stores Apple has made computing fun and easy.
http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php APA -
(2008). History. Retrieved October 5, 2008, from The Apple Museum Web site: http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php
http://www.apple-history.com/ APA −
Stanford, Glen (2008). Iphone. Retrieved October 5, 2008, from Apple History Web site: http://www.applehistory.com/
1. Wozniak, S. G.; Smith, G. (2006), iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It. W. W. Norton & Company
1. Apple Computer, Inc. Finalizes Acquisition of NeXT Software Inc., Apple Inc., 1997-02-07. Retrieved on 2008-10-19.
1. Collins, Daniel. "3G Wireless Networks", page 136. 2000.