14 DAY TRIAL // Established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 and incorporated January 3, 1977, Apple Inc. is responsible for the iPod and iTunes, the Mac laptop and desktop computers, the OS X operating system, and the revolutionary iPhone. The company's motto is "Think Different."
The company was called Apple Computer, Inc. for the first 30 years of its existence. Apple dropped the word "Computer" on January 9, 2007 to reflect the company's ongoing expansion into the consumer electronics market in addition to its traditional focus on personal computers. Over the course of its existence, Apple also changed several company logos, most of which were identical, differing only in color. Pictured left is the Apple I, the company's first product. Sold as an assembled circuit board, it lacked basic features such as a keyboard, monitor, and a case.
Apple is best known for designing and manufacturing some of the most revolutionary consumer electronics and software products, including the Macintosh computers, the iPod and the iPhone. As far as software is concerned, Apple is responsible for the lovable Mac OS X operating system, the iTunes media browser, the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software, the iWork suite of productivity software, and Final Cut Studio, aimed at the professional audio and film industry.
Apple currently operates over 250 retail stores worldwide and an online store that gets pulled down every now and then to the fans' delight. The company has made a habit out of surprising fans of its products, and even its investors, on occasion.
Unlike most electronics makers, which rush to cater to consumers' needs as soon as there's demand for something, Apple has always preferred to innovate, keeping the public wanting more. Thus, Apple has established somewhat of a cult around its brand, earning the right of playing in the high end market.
