14 DAY TRIAL // As most of the world prepares to celebrate Christmas and the arrival of The New Year, Apple CEO Tim Cook has issued a timely letter to all Apple staffers, reflecting on the company’s achievements throughout 2013, but also with an eye on 2014.
Cook opens his letter in usual fashion, addressing all employees with a cordial “Team.”
“This holiday season, tens of millions of people around the world, from all walks of life, are experiencing Apple products for the first time,” Cook writes.
“Those moments of surprise and delight are magical, and they’re all made possible by your hard work. As many of us prepare to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved together over the past year.”
The CEO begins to enumerate some of the key product releases from 2013, spanning both hardware and software.
These include the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, iOS 7 for all iDevices, OS X Mavericks (with the clarification that it was released for free to all Apple customers), the iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina display, as well as the all-new Mac Pro which Apple produces in the U.S.
“We also marked our 50 billionth download on the App Store – a milestone no one could have predicted we would reach so quickly,” says Cook.
The letter also mentions Apple’s strivings to collect money for the important charities and relief efforts (i.e. to help victims in the Philippines), including the (PRODUCT)RED campaign, which fights AIDS in Africa.
Last, but not least, Cook is proud to have put his company’s weight behind the U.S. Congress’ decision “to support workplace protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
“We are also laser focused on our contribution to several environmental initiatives and we will increase our efforts even more in this area in the future,” Cook adds.
The CEO ends his email with an outlook for 2014, stating only that Apple has “big plans” for the year to come.
“We have a lot to look forward to in 2014, including some big plans that we think customers are going to love. I am extremely proud to stand alongside you as we put innovation to work serving humankind’s deepest values and highest aspirations. I consider myself the luckiest person in the world for the opportunity to work at this amazing company with all of you. Happy Holidays, Tim.”