What is Apple? Easily explained

Almost everyone has heard the name Apple nowadays. In this practical tip, we explain what Apple is and what is behind the Cupertino company. We also list the company's main products.

What is Apple? Simple explanation

• Apple is an American company headquartered in Cupertino, California.
• The company produces computers, smartphones and other consumer electronics together with the associated operating system.
• Apple also sells music, films and software, such as apps or office programs.
• With a market value of $ 247 billion (as of 2015), Apple is the most valuable company before Google.

Apple: The history of the company

Apple's history is characterized by many highs and lows and was mainly shaped by Steve Jobs - the founder, who has since been fired.

• On April 1, 1976, Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
• Sales started with one of the first computers ever, the "Apple I". This was sold about 200 times for $ 666.66 each. After Apple's transformation into a corporation and some investments, the "Apple II" followed a year later.
• After the Apple II became a bestseller, Apple began planning the "Macintosh", the first computer with a graphical user interface and the first computer mouse as an input device. This appeared in 1984 and was a great success.
• In the same year, John Sculley became Apple's CEO. After a failed coup attempt, Steve Jobs left Apple in 1985.
• In 1990, Windows 3.0 was introduced as a competitive software for computers, which replaced the Macintosh as the market leader.
• Sculley had to vacate his position in 1993 and was replaced by Michael Spindler.
• Due to some management mistakes and technical problems, Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1996.
• A year later, Steve Jobs returned to Apple and helped the company out of the crisis. To do this, he implemented a change of strategy and only worked with four models: two notebooks and two personal computers. One of them was the very successful iMac. He also started a partnership with Microsoft.
• In the following years, Apple's success was significantly shaped by the iTunes software for music management and the MP3 player iPod.
• In 2007 Apple introduced the first iPhone, laying the foundation for all smartphones today. The iPad followed in 2010, reviving the tablet market. These two product lines are now responsible for Apple's main sales.
• Steve Jobs resigned in 2011 for health reasons. His successor is Tim Cook, who is still Apple's CEO today. In the same year, Steve Jobs died of cancer.

Apple products

The current products are shaped by the iOS product range, which also accounts for about 75 percent of Apple's sales.

• iPhone: This smartphone is Apple's most successful product. The current devices are called iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and start at a price of around 600 euros.
• iPad: The tablet computer is available in the normal version and a mini version. The current devices are the iPad Air 2 from around 416 euros and the iPad mini 3 from around 369 euros.
• Apple Watch: The smart wristwatch only works in combination with an iPhone and allows you, for example, to receive and reply to emails and messages on the watch. The Apple Watch is available from a price of 399 euros. You can read our review of the Apple Watch Sport 38mm here.
• Mac: The Mac division consists of the iMac as an all-in-one PC with a screen from € 1, 249, the Mac Pro as a premium model from around € 2, 900 and the Mac mini as an entry-level model from € 569.
• The Macbooks are the portable computers, also called notebooks. In addition to the Macbook for around 1, 333 euros, there is also the Macbook Air from around 830 euros and the Macbook Pro from around 1, 030 euros.
• In addition, the operating systems iOS for iPhone and iPad and Mac OS X for Macs and Macbooks are part of Apple's offer.
• Apple also sells some smaller products, such as an Apple TV for streaming films and series or some versions of the iPod for listening to music.
• You can find all current Apple products in our price comparison.

Apple also has a service called AirDrop in its product portfolio. Find out what is behind AirDrop in the next practical tip.