Apple Inc

Apple Inc., an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in Cupertino, California (within Silicon Valley), is globally recognized for its expertise in consumer electronics, software development, and service provision. Founded in 1976 as Apple Computer Company by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, the firm was incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. a year later by Jobs and Wozniak. The company adopted its current name, Apple Inc., in 2007 to reflect its shift from computers to consumer electronics. As the largest tech company by revenue, Apple generated US$391.04 billion in fiscal 2024.

Launched to produce and market Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer, the company’s second model, the Apple II, emerged as a best-selling pioneer among mass-produced microcomputers. Apple introduced the Lisa in 1983 and the Macintosh in 1984, among the first computers featuring a graphical user interface and mouse. By 1985, internal challenges prompted Jobs to found NeXT and Wozniak to pursue other ventures, with John Sculley serving as CEO for over a decade. In the 1990s, Apple lost significant PC market share to the lower-priced Wintel duopoly (Microsoft Windows on Intel-powered clones). On the brink of bankruptcy in 1997, Apple acquired NeXT, reinstating Jobs, who revitalized the company over the next decade with the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes Store, “Think Different” campaign, and Apple Store retail chain. These moves solidified Apple as one of the world’s most valuable brands by 2010. Jobs resigned in 2011 due to health issues and died two months later, succeeded by Tim Cook as CEO.

Apple’s product ecosystem includes portable and home hardware (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV), operating systems (iOS, iPadOS, macOS), and services (Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+). As a Big Five U.S. tech giant, Apple has been the world’s most valuable company by market cap since 2011, holding the title of largest manufacturing firm by revenue (2023), fourth-largest PC vendor by units, top tablet and smartphone seller globally. It became the first U.S. public company to hit $1 trillion in 2018, valued at over $3.74 trillion as of December 2024, trading as “AAPL” on Nasdaq.

Criticisms of Apple include labor practices at supplier factories, relations with trade unions, environmental impact, and business ethics (anti-competitive behavior, materials sourcing). Despite these, the company commands a massive fanbase and exceptional brand loyalty.