This is a sample case study on Apple. It comprises the general overview of Apple, its history, its technology and its impact on the technology of the world since existence. This sample essay will come in handy for students who wish to carry out a case study on Apple.
The name Apple according to Steve Jobs was an inspiration due to his visit to an apple farm while he was on a fruitarian diet. Apple, as defined by Rouse (2009), is a prominent software and hardware company, which is best known for its series of personal computers, iPod as well as its innovative marketing strategies for its products. Wikipedia.com further defines it as an American multinational technology company, that designs as well as develops and sells consumer electronics, computer software and offers online services. Apple has both software and hardware products. Their software products include; macOS and iOS operating systems, the Safari web browser, iTunes media player and so on. Their hardware products include; iPad tablet computer, Apple watch smartwatch, iPhone smartphone, Apple TV digital media player and so on. They also offer online services such as iTunes Store, Mac App Store, iCloud and so on.
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. It is located in over 500 retail stores worldwide, with their headquarters at 1 Apple park Way, Cupertino, California, U.S.
The mission statement of Apple is
“Apple Inc. designs macs, which are the best personal computers
in the world, alongside OS X, iWork, iLife and
professional software. Apple Inc. leads the
digital music revolution with its iTunes online stores
and iPods. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone
with its revolutionary App Store and its iPhone and is
defining the future of mobile media and computing
devices with iPad.”
Although at the end of a press release, it stated that
“Apple Inc. is committed to bringing the best personal computing
experience to students, educators, consumers, and creative professionals
around the world through its innovative hardware,
software and internet offerings.”
The history of apple can be linked down to Homebrew Computer Club where Jobs and Wozniak met and became friends. Wozniak designed his own microcomputer and placed it forward to Hewlett-Packard who rejected the engineering interns’ work. He then joined forces with Jobs in Jobs garage where they manufactured personal computers. And in 1977, they introduced a relatively modern computer in a plastic case and incorporated as Apple computer.
As of 1980, the company had included over 1000 employees, and the Macintosh which comprised a graphical user interface became the first widely sold personal computer in 1984, helped Apple cultivate an innovative reputation.
Apple was formerly called Apple computer company between 1976-1977, then changed to Apple computer Inc. between 1977-2007.
Due to problems caused by the power struggle between executives, high price tag and limited software titles, Wozniak and Jobs left the company in 1985, as Jobs founded his new company called NeXT, employing former Apple employees. Apple began to experience a decrease in market revenue, leading to the CEO Gil Amelio to buy NeXT in 1997 in other to bring Jobs back to Apple. This followed as Jobs became the new CEO of Apple, and began to rebuild Apple’s status. In 2007, Jobs renamed the company Apple Inc. after it had returned to profitability, and resigned to Tim Cook in August 2011 due to the health issue.
As of 2017 (Wikipedia, 2018), Apple’s annual revenue worldwide totaled $229 billion, with a workforce of over 123,000.
Over the years, Apple has changed the technology of the world in numerous ways due to the creative minds in Apple. Other companies employ these ideas created by Apple to come up with similar products, making Apple the biggest contributor to today’s technology.
Apple first technology was The Apple-1, which didn’t comprise switches and lights. Before this, computers were sold in kit form, but this gave birth to the era of assembled machines, and its low upkeep, as well as its ease of use, made it more desirable. From there, they advanced to the introduction of iMac which had three main features as advances in technology from the traditional computers. The three major advances include; killing off floppy disk and introduction of USB connections, was able to access the internet, and had an exclusive design with transparent plastic with swooping shape. Another technological advancement brought by Apple was the introduction of iPhone, which was the combination of an iPod, a phone and an internet mobile communicator, and it was introduced in 2007. Also, the introduction of iPod and iTunes with over 1000 songs offered a better package than the conventional mp3 player as well as the 2001 iPod. The GUI which enabled the creation of programs such as Photoshop and page maker was introduced, followed by the introduction of iPad which became a mobile computer. Steve-notes also were invented, and the App store, Airport and the iOS 6. Apple has greatly contributed to the world technology over the years, acting as a backbone for other companies.
In conclusion, Apple has both software and hardware products as well as online services which are well known all over the world, and with their staffing from 1000 to about 122,000 in 42 years, their revenue continues to increase and is estimated to be over $229 billion in 2017, making them the first multi-billion company. Apple being founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976 has grown over the years to be the world biggest contributor to technology, having invented various technological devices and services to suit human needs. This sample provided by experts from AdvancedWriters, a professional case study writing service, shows the general overview of Apple, its history, its technology and its impact on the technology of the world since existence.
References:
- 10 ways Apple has changed the technology world, accesses 7th October 2018 from https://www.digitaltrike.com/10-ways-apple-has-changed-the-technology-world/
- BARBARA FARFAN (2017): Apple mission statement, accessed 7th October 2018 from https://www.thebalancesmb.com/apple-mission-statement-4068547
- Apple simplicity, accessed 7th October 2018 from http://beloved-brands.com/2016/02/16/apple-simplicity/
- Business strategy innovation at Apple, accessed 7th October 2018 from http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Business%20Strategy/Innovation%20at%20Apple-Case.htm
- Margaret Rouse (2009): Apple, accessed 7th October 2018 from https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Apple
- What Is Apple, accessed 7th October 2018 from https://www.vox.com/cards/apple/what-is-apple
- What is Apple, accessed on 7th October, 2018, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc