2. Apple
Apple Inc. is an American multinational
corporation headquartered in
Cupertino, California, that designs, develops,
and sells consumer electronics, computer
software, online services, and personal
computers. Its best-known hardware products
are the Mac line of computers, the iPod media
player, the iPhone smartphone, and
theiPad tablet computer. Its online services
include iCloud, iTunes Store, and App Store.
Apple's consumer software includes the OS
X and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media
browser, the Safari web browser, and
the iLife and iWork creativity and productivity
suites.
3. Ownership
Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve
Wozniak and Ronald Wayne on April 1st
1976.
It was incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. on
January 3, 1977, and was renamed as Apple
Inc. on January 9, 2007, to reflect its shifted
focus towards consumer electronics.
On August 24, 2011, Jobs resigned his position
as CEO of Apple. He was replaced by Tim Cook
and Jobs became Apple's chairman.
4. Vertically Intergrated
Apple Inc. is an example of a vertically integrated
company. Specifically, it controls many elements of the
ecosystem for the iPhone and iPad, such as the
processor and hardware designs, operating system and
application software, and related cloud
services. Hardware itself is not typically manufactured by
Apple, but is outsourced to contract manufacturers such
as Foxconn or Pegatron who build Apple's branded
products to Apple's specifications. Apple's hardware and
software are sold directly to consumers primarily through
the company's own brick-and-mortar and online retail
stores, while cloud services are available through the
devices themselves.
6. Apple’s Target Market
1) Middle/Upper income folks who are willing to pay a bit more for a better user experience.
paying 500 more for a computer is not a huge deal if you have a decent income.
2) People who like to have fun with technology. No other platform offers as many entry level
tools (the whole iLife bunch and more). This includes people who like to shoot a lot of digital
photos or video. It's the whole digital hub concept. People are starting to buy into it.
3) Music enthusiasts and fans ages 12-35.
4) Professionals in media and design.
Apple have sold about 120 million iOS devices.
7. Changes in the organization
A new CEO of Apple (Tim Cook).
One of Tim Cook’s first acts as CEO was to
implement matching charitable donations from
employees by Apple up to $10,000.
Google Maps and YouTube were tossed from
the iPhone as default apps.
Apple introduced the iPad Mini, made the
iPhone screen bigger, and is reportedly going
to make the iPhone even bigger this fall.
8. Controversies
Apple Inc. is a multinational American corporation
which produces consumer electronics such as
computers, mobile phones, and online services.
Although they have been predominantly successful,
their production methods, which involve huge
amounts of hard labour have been a criticized area of
their corporation. Apple Inc. has received much
criticism for the use of sweatshop labour,
environmental destruction, and unethical business
practices as a result of the method they undertake to
produce electronics.
