Apple Inc. is an American technology company that designs and markets consumer electronics, software, and services, headquartered at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, the company is best known for iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and service platforms such as the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple reported $391.0 billion in net sales in its fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, and employed about 164,000 people; Tim Cook has served as chief executive officer since August 2011. Apple 2024 Form 10‑K;
Tim Cook — Britannica. (
sec.gov)
History
- –Founding and early products (1976–1984). Apple began as Apple Computer on April 1, 1976; it was incorporated in January 1977 with support from investor Mike Markkula. The Apple I and Apple II established the firm in the emerging personal computer market, with the Apple II becoming a mass‑market success.
Apple Inc. — Britannica;
- –Macintosh and brand‑defining advertising (1984). Apple introduced the Macintosh alongside the “1984” Super Bowl commercial directed by Ridley Scott, a milestone in both computing and advertising history; the ad aired January 22, 1984, and the Macintosh debuted January 24.
Smithsonian NMAH;
- –Leadership change and Microsoft agreement (1997). After years of struggles, Jobs returned to Apple in 1997 and announced a broad partnership under which Microsoft invested $150 million and committed to develop Office for Mac, announced on August 6, 1997.
Microsoft press release. (
- –Transition to consumer electronics and mobile (2001–2015). Apple launched iPod and iTunes in 2001–2003, expanded into retail, and in 2007 introduced iPhone while dropping “Computer” from its name to become Apple Inc.; the legal name change was filed January 9, 2007. The App Store opened July 10, 2008, passing 10 million downloads in its first weekend.
SEC Form 8‑K (name change);
Apple — App Store first‑weekend press release;
- –Tablets, wearables, and services. Apple unveiled iPad on January 27, 2010; Apple Watch on September 9, 2014; and launched Apple Music on June 30, 2015, expanding a services strategy that today spans media, payments, cloud, gaming, and fitness.
- –Chip architecture transition (2020–present). In June 2020 Apple announced a multi‑year transition of Mac computers to Apple‑designed silicon; the first Macs with the M1 system‑on‑a‑chip were introduced on November 10, 2020.
- –Spatial computing. Apple announced Apple Vision Pro in 2023 and made it available in the United States on February 2, 2024, positioning “spatial computing” as a new platform.
Facilities and headquarters
Apple’s headquarters is Apple Park, a 175‑acre campus in Cupertino featuring a 2.8‑million‑square‑foot ring building and the Steve Jobs Theater; employees began moving to the site in April 2017, and the Apple Park Visitor Center opened in November 2017. Apple — Apple Park opens to employees;
Apple — Apple Park Visitor Center. (
apple.com)
Products, platforms, and services
Apple’s major hardware lines include iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch; software platforms include iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS; services comprise the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and others. In fiscal 2024, Apple reported net sales of $201.2 billion for iPhone, $30.0 billion for Mac, $26.7 billion for iPad, $37.0 billion for Wearables/Home/Accessories, and $96.2 billion for Services. Apple 2024 Form 10‑K. (
sec.gov)
Corporate structure and leadership
Tim Cook succeeded Steve Jobs as CEO in August 2011 after serving as chief operating officer and leading global operations; Cook’s background includes prior roles at IBM and Compaq. Tim Cook — Britannica. (
britannica.com)
Finance and market milestones
Apple trades on Nasdaq under the ticker AAPL. It became the first U.S. public company to reach $1 trillion in market value on August 2, 2018, and the first to reach $3 trillion intraday on January 3, 2022; it closed above $3 trillion for the first time on June 30, 2023. Apple facts — Britannica;
CNBC — $1 trillion;
CNBC — $3 trillion (Jan. 3, 2022);
CNBC — $3 trillion (June 30, 2023 close). (
britannica.com)
Legal and regulatory matters
On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice and multiple states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging monopolization and attempted monopolization of smartphone markets; additional states joined on June 11, 2024, and the case is proceeding in the District of New Jersey. DOJ case page;
DOJ press release (June 11, 2024);
DOJ complaint (Mar. 21, 2024). (
justice.gov)
Manufacturing and supply chain
Apple outsources most manufacturing to partners in China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam and notes that a significant concentration is performed by a small number of partners; these concentrations and foreign‑exchange conditions affect results by region. Apple 2024 Form 10‑K. (
sec.gov)
Identity and corporate changes
On January 9, 2007, Apple Computer, Inc. legally changed its name to Apple Inc., reflecting its expansion beyond personal computers amid the introduction of iPhone. SEC Form 8‑K (name change). (
sec.gov)
Recent product availability and platform developments
Apple Vision Pro became available in the United States on February 2, 2024, accompanied by developer updates and an initial catalog of compatible apps. Apple — Vision Pro availability;
Apple — apps for Vision Pro. (
apple.com)
Headcount and workforce
As of September 28, 2024, Apple reported approximately 164,000 full‑time equivalent employees worldwide. Apple 2024 Form 10‑K (human capital disclosures, as summarized); see also third‑party summaries of the filing.
MarketScreener — Apple 2024 Form 10‑K. (
sec.gov)