What family of computers is produced by Apple? History of the creation and development of Apple

Our colleagues at CBSNews took a look at the evolution of Apple products over 36 years. What has been done during this time? Just over 36 years ago, in 1976, Apple launched its first device, the Apple I, a hobby computer with a processor clock speed of 1 MHz. Some still remember its modest wooden case with a carved Apple Computer logo.

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Apple I. Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs introduced this computer in April 1976

True, there are quite a few such people - after all, only about 200 such computers were assembled. By the way, the Apple I is considered by many to be the first computer that went on sale in assembled form. Do you agree that such a design cannot but cause tenderness?

Apple II. 1977

Then there was the Apple II, the first Apple computer to go into mass production—up to 6 million of these computers were assembled. The processor frequency and the amount of RAM remained the same - 1 MHz and 4 KB, respectively (however, the amount of RAM could be expanded to 48 KB). But in many ways it was a first: take the color Apple logo, which appeared for the first time on this model, to highlight the support for color graphics. It is interesting that it was on the basis of one of the Apple II models (to be precise, on the basis of the Apple II+) that the first Soviet serial personal computer, “Agat,” and the Bulgarian computer “Pravets” were developed. Older readers may be able to recall these creations of socialist industry.

Apple Disk II. 1978

In 1978, to replace the inconvenient interface using a cassette recorder, Stephen Wozniak developed Disk II, which was used in the Apple II series of computers.

Apple II Plus. 1979

Some people remember the year 1980 for the Olympics, for others - the death of Vladimir Vysotsky... Few people associate this year with the appearance of the Apple III, which is no wonder: this model failed miserably on the market. Perhaps one of the reasons for this was the absence of Steve Wozniak from the list of developers, who at that time was exclusively working on refining the Apple II. The development of the Apple III was led by Dr. Wendell Sender. The result was disappointing: a large number of shortcomings and shortcomings forced the Apple III to pass ahead of its competitor, the IBM PC.

Apple III. 1980

To regain the top spot among market participants, Apple developed the Lisa computer, which was released in 1983. The project did not bring significant commercial success (not least because of its cost - Lisa 1 sold for $9995 dollars), but such an organization as NASA was among the customers. Not too bad if you think about it. In addition, in the same 1983, the mouse controller went on sale, so familiar to the current user and so unknown in those days.

Apple Lisa. 1983 It is believed that Steve Jobs named the computer after his daughter Lisa, but Lisa officially stood for “Local Integrated Software Architecture”

Apple IIc. 1984

Apple Macintosh. 1984

The mouse was also used in the first Macintosh computer, which was released in 1984 and became the first personal computer to use a graphical user interface.

Apple's first mouse found use with the Apple Lisa computer

The Macintosh XL was released in 1985, the Macintosh Plus in 1986, the Macintosh SE in 1987, and the Macintosh SE/30 and Macintosh portable appeared on the market in 1989. By the way, it was with the help of the Macintosh portable that the first electronic message was sent from space.

Macintosh XL. 1985

Apple Macintosh Plus. 1986

Apple Macintosh SE/30. 1989

Macintosh Portable is Apple's first laptop. 1989

Macintosh Portable - Apple's first laptop, Osborne 1 "notebook" (folded) and Mac Book Air

Also in 1987, development began on the first device that we would now call a “pocket computer” - the Apple Newton. In fact, it did not fit into an ordinary pocket, which to a certain extent was the reason for the lack of commercial success of this development. These devices were sold from 1993 to 1998.

Apple Newton pocket computer. 1987

Apple Macintosh IIfx. 1990

After that, Apple focused mainly on releasing new modifications of the Macintosh until 1998, when the first batches of the iMac G3 entered the market. This break provided an opportunity to decide on the future design and select appropriate creative personnel to make future Apple devices extraordinary and recognizable.

Macintosh PowerBook 140. 1991

Apple Macintosh LC 575. 1993

Apple PowerBook 5300. 1995

Apple Power Macintosh 7220. 1996

Apple Twentieth Anniversary Mac (TAM). 1997

And it bore fruit: the iMac G3 turned out to be truly non-standard: the original layout and pleasant design could not but ensure commercial success for this development.

Apple iMac G3 - the first all-in-one computer - 1998.

Apple Power Macintosh G3. 1999

1999 saw the release of the iBook, 2001 saw the release of the first iPod, 2007 the iPhone and Apple TV, 2008 the MacBook Air, and 2010 the iPad. This is where Apple's past ends and the future begins.

Apple iBook. 1999

Apple Macintosh G4 Cube. year 2000

The first iPod, introduced in 2001

Apple iMac G4. 2002

Apple iBook G4. 2003

Apple Power Mac G5. 2003

iPod mini. 2004

Apple iMac G5. 2004

iPod nano. 2005 year

iPod shuffle. 2005 year

Mac Mini. 2005 year

MacBook Pro. 2006

Apple iMac. 2007

The first iPhone. 2007

iPod Touch. 2007

MacBook Air. 2008

Apple iPad. 2010

iPhone 4. 2010

Macbook Pro with Retina display. year 2012

iPhone 5. 2012

iPod touch 5g. year 2012

iMac. year 2012

iPad mini. year 2012

In Apple's controversial history from all points of view, there was room for sharp ups and sensitive downs. Sales volumes have grown from 200 units to many, many millions of copies; the Apple brand is known all over the world. It is obvious that now the company is again “on the wave” of its success. When will this success end and will it end at all? Only time will tell, and we can only wait for the next presentations, after which we will admire the new developments. Or look with bewilderment at those who admire. Everyone decides for themselves.

The revolutionary company Apple began its history in the 70s in California. Young Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created their first personal computer based on the MOS Technology 6502 processor. They managed to sell several dozen samples of their device, thanks to which they were soon provided with financing. Young developers and businessmen registered Apple Computer, Inc. on April 1, 1976. Translated into Russian, the word “apple” means “apple”. Interestingly, macintosh is a variety of apple common in the United States of America, beloved by Jef Raskin, who led the leadership and developer of the Macintosh project before Steve Jobs.

Throughout its history, the largest company and the undisputed innovative leader in the market has endured some difficult times. In the early 80s, the press began to talk about the impending funeral of Apple. However, John Sculley, who replaced the company's president, was able to resolve the company's problems. In 1984, the company released the 32-bit Macintosh computer, which later became Apple's main source of income. However, the following year, Steve Jobs left his company.

The iPod line, current since 2012. From left to right: iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic and iPod Touch

iPad 4

In 2006, sales of Apple products in Russia amounted to $69 million. The following year, the first representative office of the giant corporation opened. A little later, in 2012, Apple registered the Apple Rus company.

We at the portal http://bezlimit-mts.ru (http://bezlimit-mts.ru) believe that Apple’s slogan “Think Different” (Russian: “Think Different”) perfectly reflects the entire policy of the global corporation. And by the way, this is one of the few companies that does not turn to focus groups for help.

Computer science, cybernetics and programming

Apple Inc is an American corporation, manufacturer of personal and tablet computers, audio players, phones, and software. One of the pioneers in the field of personal computers and modern multitasking operating systems with a graphical interface.

Apple Inc. (“Apple”) is a corporation with a special reputation. Thanks to innovative technologies, exceptional quality and aesthetic design of its products, this company has become a real cult among electronics consumers. Tablet and personal computers, phones, audio players, Apple software - everything is always popular in all corners of the planet. How was this legendary corporation created? Who was the ideological inspirer of its appearance? What was the original name of Apple? You will learn about all this from this article.

First name of the corporation

The Apple logo has become one of the most recognizable in the world. There are many rumors and legends surrounding its name. Among the most common versions there are some really interesting ones. There is no disagreement about what Apple was originally called. The officially registered first name of the company is Apple Computer. It existed under this name for 30 years until it was renamed simply Apple. This step was quite logical; by that time the corporation was producing not only computers. But why did the company get the “apple” name? More on this later.

Why Apple?

According to one version, Steve Jobs decided to settle on the “Apple” name because it automatically appeared in the first lines of telephone directories, immediately before the name of the company Atari, a manufacturer of computer games. In addition, the apple symbolized the environmental friendliness of the company's products. Apple was one of the first to recycle old computer components. All this is true, but if you look at the first logo of the corporation, then other answers will arise to questions about what Apple was originally called and why it was named that way. The symbol of the corporation was a man sitting under a tree with an apple hanging menacingly above his head. The plot is reminiscent of the story of Isaac Newton, right? This means that the name of the company also hinted at the extraordinary ingenuity inherent in its creators. In addition, biblical motifs can be traced in the name of the company. A bitten apple symbolizes temptation. Apple's popular line of products, the Macintosh, was named after the apple variety favored by its creator, Jef Raskin.

How it all began

The history of the creation of Apple is covered in rumors and legends. It all started back in 1970, when two comrades, Steve Jobs, created a personal computer based on the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor. It was essentially a motherboard and looked very unpresentable. However, enterprising friends, one of whom (Wozniak) was a gifted electronics engineer, and the second (Jobs) had an extraordinary commercial spirit, managed to sell several dozen of their products. Using the proceeds, in 1976, on April 1, a new company for the production of personal computers was officially registered. We already know what Apple was originally called.

A computer for every home

In 1976, the first microcomputer, Apple 1, was released. Apple's original products were not revolutionary at all. In parallel with it, personal computers were produced by Tandy Radio Shack and Commodore. However, it was the creators of Apple who managed to make their products so bright and desirable for people that they were happy to buy them. Steve Jobs introduced into the minds of the consumer the idea that a personal computer is a thing needed in every home. He ensured that computers became interesting not only to professional electronics engineers, but also to ordinary people. Apple has managed to make its brand legendary. Second-generation computers produced by this company became the best-selling computers on the globe. At the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, more than five million electronic machines produced under the Apple brand were sold.

Sales problems

In 1980, the office where Apple was located was in disarray and turmoil. Steve Jobs had to put forty employees of the company out of work because the release of third-generation computers was extremely unsuccessful. True, at the same time the company made the largest initial public offering of shares on the stock exchange in history. But this did not save the situation. The press predicted the imminent disappearance of Apple. In 1983, Scully John, a talented top manager who had previously held a similar position at PepsiCo, was invited to the post of president of the company. Friction immediately began between the main ideological inspirer of the corporation, Steve Jobs, and the new leader.

Development of the company in the 1980s

In 1984, the original Apple products were replenished with a line of new 32-bit ones. The production and sale of such equipment determined the main activity of the company for two decades. It produced computers based on Motorola processors with the Apple operating system installed on them, compatible only with the corporation’s branded products. In addition, the company had traditionally strong positions in educational and government organizations, design and publishing. A little later, Apple gained a leading position in the music industry. The company was the first to equip its equipment with a computer mouse and graphical user interface. In 1985, Reagan awarded Wozniak and Jobs medals for the development of technological progress.

Steve Jobs

In 1985, another fateful event occurred in the history of the corporation. - Steve Jobs - was forced to leave due to disagreements with management. This man was distinguished by frantic enthusiasm, an unbearable character, wild unscrupulousness and incredible charm. He knew how to inspire the craziest undertakings. Only Jobs could convince the board of directors to give $750,000 to a new-fangled director (Ridley Scott) to shoot a commercial promoting the Apple III computers, and to pay even more for one minute of super-expensive airtime during the Super Bowl of American football. Apple's original products at that time were an order of magnitude worse than those of its competitors. But they bought it! It took the consumer several months to understand that behind the bright advertising wrapper was hidden a very mediocre computer with a black and white interface and only fifty programs. And the story of how crazy Jobs leaked into the secret Xerox PARC research center and took from there several revolutionary ideas (a computer mouse, a text editor, etc.) is still the largest theft in the history of the computer industry. However, the methods used by the legendary co-founder of Apple were too original. Therefore, when sales of Apple III computers declined sharply, Steve Jobs was asked to leave the company.

Development of the company in the 1990s

Under strategically correct and technically proven leadership, the Apple Corporation lasted for many years. The company's development, however, slowed down every year. And by the end of the 1990s, her affairs became very bad. Within two years (1995 to 1997), sales losses rose to $1.86 billion. Apple was having a hard time. Her ideological inspirer, madman and adventurer Steve Jobs was invited to return. He took another giant step in the development of the company. He began to look for new markets not related to the production of computer equipment, and in this area he surpassed himself.

Multimedia revolution in the 2000s

The chronicle of events at this time looks something like this:

• 2001 - iPod audio player - Apple introduced a portable media player to consumers. It captured people's imagination with its minimal size and impressive capabilities.
• 2003 - iTunes Store - the company opened an online multimedia store where, for a minimal fee, you can download media content in AAC format that can be played on Apple devices.
• 2007 - iPhone - the company entered the market with its own mobile phone. This touchscreen smartphone was swept off the shelves at any price. It is still very popular today.

Our days

In the 2010s, Apple's authority in the field of multimedia technologies became recognized and undeniable. In order to finally establish itself in this field, the corporation released a tablet computer, the famous iPad, in 2010. This product broke all records in terms of sales. In 28 days, more than one million tablets were sold. For comparison: the first iPhones were purchased almost three times slower. They crossed the one million mark in 72 days. Steve Jobs claimed that on the first day, 300 thousand iPads were sold, 250,000 e-books were downloaded and approximately 1 million applications. In the wake of unprecedented demand for Apple products, its financial position has improved dramatically. In 2011, it was recognized as the most valuable corporation in the world by market capitalization, overtaking the famous oil company ExxonMobil. In 2012, Apple's stock price reached its peak of $705.07. However, by 2013, the company's market capitalization had decreased by 37.6% and is now constantly competing with ExxonMobil for the title of the most valuable company in the world.

The company constantly surprises consumers with innovative products. In 2013, Apple released a 64-bit dual-core ARM microprocessor. In 2014, a new personal device appeared on the market - the Watch.

Apple headquarters

Cupertino, the city where Apple is located, is located in the headquarters of the corporation, sometimes also called the “campus” due to its large size and external resemblance to American university towns. It occupies approximately six dozen buildings. The six largest of them, on Infinite Loop Street, contain the main offices. They are the face of Apple. Everything here encourages you to “think differently”: bright offices filled with cutting-edge technology, laboratories where wireless communications are tested, billboards and stands in huge, light-filled lobbies. There are also gyms, cafes and a store selling branded products, which are instantly snapped up by crowds of tourists. The place where Apple is located will soon be replenished with a second campus designed for 13 thousand people. It will look like a spaceship of silvery light. There are plans to create a park inside. This amazing project was developed with the direct participation of Steve Jobs.

Who is the CEO of Apple?

In August 2011, Steve Jobs had to resign as president of Apple Corporation due to health reasons. The current CEO of the company, Tim Cook, assumed this position. After the departure of the main ideological mastermind, the price of Apple shares fell by 7%. Steve Jobs died after a long illness on October 5, 2011. His death became a resonant event that shook the whole world. Since then, the company's business has been moving with varying degrees of success. In 2013, for example, it was reported that due to the fact that Apple's market value had dropped by almost half (from $702 to $390 billion), Tim Cook might leave his post. However, the company still manages to maintain a leading position in the mobile industry, and the demand for Apple products remains consistently high. Now you know where Apple is located, and more.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” says popular wisdom. We have an excellent reason to explore how true the Russian proverb is. After all, today’s article is dedicated to legendary company Apple(from the English “apple”), which was founded by the no less famous.

We introduced this man to our readers earlier, and now it’s time to get acquainted with his “brainchild” - Apple, the largest manufacturer of personal and tablet computers, audio players, mobile phones and software.

Apple was founded in 1976 Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. She has already crossed her 35-year-old mark and can boast of certain achievements.

At the time of the company's founding, Steve Jobs was 21 years old, Steve Wozniak was 25 years old, and Ronald Wayne was 41 years old. This significant event took place in the house of Steve Jobs' adoptive parents, or rather in the garage:

Please pay special attention to this fact. Many famous world brands that are worth billions of dollars began their journey in an ordinary garage.

Many newcomers who want to open their own business think that opening their own business requires a lot of money, that they need to rent business premises, purchase goods or equipment, and hire a bunch of staff.

As a result, even at the start a considerable sum accumulates, which a beginner simply does not have. And this amount usually scares a person away. Of course, there are types of businesses that require incredible amounts of money to open from the very first days.

Look for ideas that don't require a lot of money to implement and that you can start this business in your parents' garage or even right in your room. But let's return to Apple.

Apple is the most powerful brand in the world and the most valuable company in the world

In May 2011, according to a ranking by the research agency Millward Brown, the Apple brand was named the most valuable brand in the world. According to Forbes data for October 2012, the Apple brand took the lead in the ranking of “most influential” brands, ahead of such brands as , and IBM.

In November 2013, the company's market capitalization, that is, its actual value, was about $472 billion, and the company reached its maximum capitalization in September 2012, when its market value was estimated at more than $700 billion., making Apple the most valuable company in history!

Apple's headquarters are located in the small town of Cupertino., which is 75 km from San Francisco, California. Interestingly, the number of Cupertino residents is even smaller than the number of Apple employees - the company currently has 60,400 employees!

What sets the multi-thousand company Apple apart from its competitors and allows it to earn billions of dollars?

The company, historically a manufacturer of PCs and software, expanded its market segments in the 21st century, entering the next development orbit with new audio players, smartphones and tablet computers.

Apple is certainly a leading company, an innovator, and in this it is very similar to its co-founder Steve Jobs.

Apple's merits are undeniable, because iPod audio player made a real breakthrough in the world of digital music, iPhone smartphone revolutionized our vision of mobile phones, and tablet iPad set the vector for the development of the digital devices market.

All these “i-gadgets” have become an integral part of the image of a business, respectable and successful person. I wouldn’t be surprised if smart “Apple” devices with an “i” prefix completely displace such names as “audio player”, “phone” and “tablet computer” from everyday life.

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO since 2011, said he's proud the company is heading into the holiday season "with the best-ever iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, and full confidence in the potential of our new product lineup."

The production of these new products, which are in high demand around the world, has indeed radically improved Apple's financial position.

As Steve Jobs said at the launch of the first iPhone in 2007: “We didn’t create a new phone, we reinvented it.”

And at the presentation of the Internet tablet iPad 2 in 2011, he announced the advent of the era of post-computer devices.

According to him, they are simpler and clearer than traditional PCs, and it is they that he sees as the future, while his competitors are only “trying to find the optimal balance in new PC models.”

And even though these same competitors, represented by the founder of Microsoft, call the iPad just “a good e-reader and nothing more,” time will tell who is right.

And this is the highlight of Apple. More precisely, one of many. After all, if you unravel the secret formula for the success of the apple company and master the art of creating such popular and beloved products and devices, you can get fabulously rich.

I note that after the appearance of the tablet, some online publications began developing special applications for it, for example, the most popular magazine in the United States, Time, developed an entire concept for its iPad version.

However, was it really only innovation and high technology that helped Apple reach the pedestal on which the company comfortably sits today?

After all, now Apple is more than new IT technologies and modern production. Apple is an aesthetic design, a unique reputation, a recognizable style, a successful image and a whole culture in the consumer electronics industry. In a word, Apple is a legend.

And let them say that “it’s easy to find out if a person has an iPhone - he himself will brag about it in the first five minutes of meeting him” and “the main purpose of the iPad is to show that you can afford an iPad.”

There is a grain of truth in every joke, and the fact that “Apple” jokes have appeared indicates that all these “i-things” have leaked into our market, taken root there and are loved.

Although this is true. Today, Apple products are, first and foremost, a symbol of the wealth and prosperity of its owner. People who buy an iPhone for the first time do so not because of its technical features, but to gain status.

After all, if you look at it this way, then for the same price you can buy a more technically sophisticated gadget, but whose name is not so well known. Perhaps this feature should be taken into account.

If you are running a business or planning to create one, then you need to focus not only on the technical parameters of your product or service, but also on its social aspects. If you manage to create a product that is cool to own, then your business will go as it should.

To dot the i’s in this “Apple” console, I will say that Apple is even more than a manufacturer of i-gadgets.

After all, the company was at the origins of the creation of personal computers, its history is complex and interesting.

One of Apple's merits is that it was this company that, with its Apple II series of PCs, paved the way for the production of personal computers. In addition, Apple was the first to see the great possibilities of a graphical interface and a computer mouse, introducing them into its products.

Let's outline the important stages of Apple's long journey in order:

1976 is the year the company was founded.

One version of the origin of the name says that Steve Jobs wanted to see the company on the first pages of the telephone directory, hence the name with “a”, and according to the second version, he simply fulfilled his threat to call the company “Yabloko”, since nothing better could be thought of.

By the way, this is what the first Apple Computer logo looked like

By the way, it was this logo that was invented by the third Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne(Ronald Gerald Wayne). He is also called one of the biggest losers in the world, because he lost a tenth of the company for just $2,300.

The fact is that when they opened Apple, Ronald Wayne had no confidence in the favorable future of this company. In addition, he had property that he risked if things went wrong in this business.

Legally, all members of the company were responsible for any debts of the company, even if they were caused by another partner. Jobs and Wozniak had nothing at that time. They risked virtually nothing, and Wayne could lose his property, which could go to creditors if things went wrong.

Let me remind you that officially the company Apple Computer, Inc was incorporated on April 1, 1976, and Wayne relinquished his interest on April 12, less than 2 weeks later. Thus, he deprived himself of a potential fortune of 70 billion dollars!

Let me remind you that in September 2012, Apple was worth more than $700 billion, and 10% of this amount is $70 billion. Well, as they say: “If I knew the price, I would live in Sochi.” And we will return to the history of the company, or rather the logo.

The logo created by Ron Wayne did not take root in the company. They used it for about a year, after which they decided to replace it with something simpler and more understandable. As a result, Steve Jobs turned to designer Rob Janoff, who created this logo:

This logo was created in just a week, and they bit it so that it would be firmly associated with an apple, because without a bite it could be confused with a tomato.

The Apple logo is simple, clear and recognizable. It appears in films, in meeting places of successful people and, increasingly, in everyday life. They say that even the president of Samsung, Apple's main competitor in the smartphone market, is afraid to eat apples in crowded places: what if the paparazzi take a photo of him with a bite?

By the way, this logo existed in the company from 1976 to 1998, after which it was replaced with a monochrome one:

Now let's get back to the Apple story. In 1976, the Apple I programmable computer began production.

1977-93 – release of various models of Apple II computers. It became the company's first mass-produced computer.

1980 – Apple is conducting the largest initial public offering in history since 1956 (the year Ford went public).

Thus, Apple becomes a public company, and its shares are now traded on the NASDAQ stock market and the London Stock Exchange. In 2012, the company's shares exceeded $500 for the first time, and in the same year they reached $700 in NASDAQ electronic trading.

1980 – characterized by the failed release of the Apple III PC. This computer turned out to be quite crude. It constantly broke down and, moreover, there were very few offers for it on the computer software market.

Problems with their sales lead to Jobs firing 40 employees, and the media are talking about the imminent collapse of the company.

By that time, Jobs had lost interest in the Apple III project and switched all his attention to the Apple Lisa project. And around the same time, Jobs began to have his first “graters” with the other co-owners of the company and the board of directors.

Jobs was a pretty tough person. He always wanted it to be the way he wanted it, which is why conflicts arose with employees, engineers and partners.

The fact is that to develop a particular project, companies like Apple create special working groups that solve the assigned tasks. Each group has its own leader. And Jobs used to get involved in the affairs of one group or another and make significant amendments to previously developed projects.

This is roughly what happened with the Lisa project. Imagine that a computer project has been developed and work on it is in full swing. Then Jobs appears and orders everything to be done differently. Naturally, all this terribly slowed down the work, and since Jobs was a perfectionist, he did not calm down until he brought every little thing to perfection.

This led to delays in the delivery of projects and, accordingly, to a loss of profit for the company, which was terribly disliked by shareholders. As a result, Jobs was removed from the Lisa project. which upset him terribly.

1983 – Steve Jobs invites the highly experienced John Sculley, at that time the CEO of PepsiCo, to the position of president of the company. The phrase with which Jobs managed to lure the Pepsi top manager into the director's chair at Apple has become one of the most famous statements in business - “Are you going to sell soda for the rest of your life or do you want to come with me and change the world?” Sculley chooses Apple and heads the company until 1993.

True, Jobs would soon regret it, saying that inviting Sculley to work was the worst decision of his life.

1984 – Apple introduces a new 32-bit Macintosh computer, named by developer Jeff Raskin after his favorite apple variety. True, Jeff led the project at the beginning, and then he was sent on forced leave, and the project was headed by Steve Jobs.

The release of Macintosh computers strengthened Jobs' position in the company, since thanks to the release of this model it was possible to increase the company's profits.

After this, the company ceases production of the uncompetitive Apple III family of PCs. The Macintosh series becomes the company's core business.

1985 – due to conflicts in management, its co-founder Steve Jobs leaves the company. Although leaving the company doesn’t sound quite right. In fact, he was fired from his own company.

Although the Macintosh sold, it did not sell as well as planned. Shareholders accused Steve Jobs of creating uncompetitive computers, and Jobs accused shareholders and company executives of inflating the price of the Macintosh.

Jobs considered Sculley, whom he had once dragged from Pepsi, to be the main villain. As a result of this confrontation, the board of directors chose John Sculley as a more experienced leader who could improve Apple's affairs.

In the same year, Jobs founded NeXT. Later, in 2005, speaking to graduates of Stanford University, Jobs would say that firing from Apple was the best and right decision at that moment.

Cooperation with Sculley does not bring much success to Apple. All this time, the company has been balancing on the brink of survival. As a result, after a significant drop in Apple's market value, the board of directors fires John Sculley.

Things are also going well for Jobs at NeXT. As a result, Apple's new management decides that the company needs dramatic changes and that only Jobs can initiate these changes.

It is worth noting that NeXT was doing so poorly that Jobs had to shut down all computer production, leaving only software development afloat.

Subsequently, the developments made became the basis of the Mac OS operating system.

1996 – returns to the director's chair at Apple. The company buys Jobs's company NeXT, paying no less than 430 million dollars for it. I note that over the years of its existence, Apple has repeatedly absorbed various companies operating in the IT technology market - Siri, Anobit Technologies, etc.

From 1996 to 1998 Apple has undergone dramatic changes. It was decided to abandon many projects. More than 3,000 employees were laid off. The company has focused its efforts on four main areas:

• desktop computer models for professionals Power Macintosh G3
• portable computer models for professionals PowerBook G3
• desktop computer models for ordinary consumers iMac
• portable computer models for ordinary consumers iBook

1998 “As a result of the work done, a new futuristic model, the iMac G3, appears in the computer arena, which has become the fastest-selling computer in Apple history.

At the same time, Jobs begins to hatch the idea of ​​​​creating his own chain of stores that will sell apple products. He was unhappy that Apple products were on the same shelf with other brands.

He wanted his products to be sold in a special way. So that sellers do not put it on a par with other products.

And this is another highlight that makes Apple products superior to their competitors. When you believe that your product is special and try to make it so, then it will be so. Jobs didn't like mediocrity. And I have always tried to combine elegant design and the latest technology in my products.

2000 - Dotcom crash. Dotcom literally translates to “.com”. Dotcoms are companies related to the Internet. Apple has never been a dot-com company. But it was very dependent on this market, because Apple products are aimed at PC users, and with the advent of the Internet in our lives, “computer and Internet” have become practically inseparable words.

So, in 2000, Internet companies collapsed in the United States. The value of shares of such companies began to fall, including the value of Apple shares.

This crisis has spread to other sectors of the economy. In general, there is an opinion that it was the dot-com crash that provoked the subsequent collapse of the global economy in 2007-2008, the consequences of which we still feel.

I wrote in more detail about the dot-com collapse and the crisis here:

Why am I even writing about the crisis now? What does the crisis, dot-coms and Apple have to do with it, you might ask?

In fact, this is very important, because it was the crisis that served to change the vector of development of Apple. It was the dot-com crash that forced Steve Jobs to look for new markets through which his company could not only survive, but thrive.

As a result of the search for new technological solutions, devices such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad appeared, as well as various software that users of Apple products love so much.

According to Jobs, a computer in the future should become a multifunctional complex, consisting not only of a monitor, system unit and keyboard, but also of various peripheral devices, such as a player, telephone, etc.

Jobs began to realize his idea by creating high-quality software. Among which I would especially like to note the emergence of the universal media player iTunes.

It was with the advent of this software that Apple became one of the key players in the music market. The fact is that the music market was also going through hard times.

With the development of the Internet and the advent of the mp-3 format, pirates have severely bitten the music market. And the emergence of iTunes, or rather the iTunes Store. which will be discussed below, allowed to increase sales of legal content.

With the advent of iTunes, there was an urgent need for a music device that would work with this software. This is how the iPod was born.

2001 – presentation of the iPod audio player.

In parallel with the launch of the iPod, Apple opens its first two Apple Stores. Experts predicted the failure of this idea, but as of September 2013, 413 stores are open and successfully operating in 14 countries around the world.

The Apple Store is not just a hardware store - it is a paradise for geeks!

2003 – presentation of the online music store iTunes Store.

The key feature of this store was that you could buy songs there individually, and not as a whole album, as was previously customary, and also that the main buyers were owners of apple products.

The iTunes Store predicted a million sales in its first 6 months of operation. As a result, a million songs were sold out in 6 days of work.

2007 – release of the iPhone smartphone, which was announced by Steve Jobs himself.

It was under his leadership that Apple was able to open up new market segments. In the same year, the company changes its official name from Apple Computer to simply Apple, in connection with its entry into the consumer electronics market.

The appearance of the iPhone is due to the fact that with the development of mobile technologies, the demand for cameras and digital cameras has fallen. Developers of mobile devices began to combine a telephone, a camera and audio players.

Jobs understood that the audio player market was doomed and would soon be swallowed up by phones that combined all these devices. And then he set the task for his subordinates to develop a new phone that would combine all these functions and, according to the Apple tradition, would be elegant and convenient.

Time magazine subsequently recognized the iPhone as the invention of the year!

2008 – The iPhone ranks 2nd in the ranking of the most useful modern technologies, according to PCWorld.

2008 – Apple releases the world's thinnest laptop, the MacBook Air.

The 2000s were a real triumph for Jobs and his team. Almost every year Apple surprises the world with something and makes its army of fans bigger and bigger.

2010 – Apple releases the iPad tablet computer.

The most interesting thing is that the idea of ​​touch-screen tablet computers was proposed back in 1988 by students at the University of Illinois. They were then working on the topic “What will the personal computer of 2000 be like” as part of a competition held by Apple.

By the way, he looked like this:

In the same 2010, IPhone 4 took 1st place in the list of the best phones in the “Bestseller” and “Image” categories according to Mobile-Review.com.

2011 – in August, Steve Jobs left for health reasons, and in November he passed away.

The love for one’s business has largely ensured the company’s success. The “parent” inherited some of his individual character traits from his “apple” - a love of innovation, creativity, courage and style.

Since September 2012 iPhone 5 goes on official sale.

They joke that the iPhone is the smartest phone, and it has the highest percentage of owners who are significantly dumber than their phone)

I don’t know about the IQ of smartphone owners, but it’s a fact that there are quite a few of them. The number of pre-orders for the fifth iPhone reached 2 million per day!

Probably, among the happy owners of a smartphone is Evgeny Chichvarkin, the ex-founder of Euroset, now living in London. According to him, he intended to replace the iPhone 4S with the iPhone 5 as soon as its sales began in Foggy Albion.

As for Russia, Apple smartphones have won a wide audience here too. Although some argue that the iPhone would sell better if it went on the Russian market under the translated name “yaMobilko”

However, Apple is already widely known in our territory. It positions itself as a manufacturer of simple devices created for the convenience, communication and entertainment of people. Although all this technology of the future, already sold in the present, is very, very expensive.

If you look at the official Russian-language website www.apple.com/ru, you can see that the key words in the description of the company’s products are not dry technical specifications, but enthusiastic glossy epithets.

Apple doesn't just have "12 megapixels, 17 inches, 3GB", it has endless possibilities, amazing quality, a gorgeous display and the world's most advanced operating system!

Everything from Apple works automatically, easily and seamlessly - laptops are "faster than you can imagine", iPhones "do everything for you" and iPods that make "sword fighting more intense and zombie hunting more effective!"

Apple guards its technical developments very jealously. The company monitors the quality of its brand, opens branded stores and creates an entire ecosystem of software and numerous applications.

Regarding Apple, they say that the company has “patented a patent for patenting a patent.” A completely truthful remark, because as of October 2012, the company received 5,440 patents for its inventions and design projects!

In defending intellectual property rights, Apple sues first with one company and then with another, sometimes winning and sometimes losing cases. Thus, Nokia accused Apple of violating 10 patents, and Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung. She, however, was found not guilty by a British court, but patent battles continue.

Now Apple has the highest profitability, both in terms of sales and in terms of prestige and design. The company is not going to stop there. In fact, Apple is “bearing fruit” with real “golden apples”, and I will wait with interest to see what other “i-gadget” the company’s developers will surprise us with. So, Apple, step up to you.

P.S. By the way, do you know what the prefix “i” means in the names of Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac)? The answer is simple - internet