Apple has released many versions of the iPod since launching it in 2001.
In April 2011, Apple celebrated its 35th year of business. According to Mashable, the corporation has a market capitalization of more than $317 billion and is the most successful technology company worldwide. Given Apple's mass popularity with its computers, mobile phones and portable media players, it may seem hard to believe it has not always been a smooth road. The history of Apple reveals plenty of wins, but also a few rough spots.
Founding
In 1976, Steve Jobs was a college dropout, living at home with his parents. He and his friend Steve Wozniak built a kit for a pre-assembled computer circuit board. They then asked another friend -- Ronald Wayne -- to write a manual for the product and create a logo. They called the kit the Apple I and began selling it. In 1977, Apple Computer, Inc. was formally incorporated without Wayne, who sold his stake in the company. Jobs and Wozniak then introduced the Apple II. According to "Wired," it was the first practical personal computer. It was so successful it remained in production until 1993.
1980s
In 1980, Apple went public and introduced the Apple III computer. In 1983, with Jobs as chairman, John Sculley becomes CEO and president. The next year, Apple introduced the first Macintosh. The Macintosh was the first computer to include a graphical user interface (GUI) at an affordable price of $2,495. In 1985, Jobs found his role at Apple reduced by Sculley and left the company, along with Wozniak. Apple filed a suit against Jobs, concerned about any information he may have taken with him to form a new company. The suit was settled out of court, and Jobs sold all but one share of his Apple stock.
1990s
In 1991, Apple partnered with IBM to include a new processor in its computers. The processor later came to be known as the PowerPC. It became available to consumers in 1994. The following year, Apple signed an agreement to allow cheaper versions of its computer to be created and sold by outside companies. It saw revenue and market share drop as the cloned versions became more popular. In 1997, Jobs returned as an adviser and then interim CEO. He stopped the clone agreements, and the then-current president and CEO, and vice president, were asked to resign. In 1998, Apple debuted the iMac, a transparent computer available in a variety of colors. The iMac helps Apple turn its first profit in three years.
New Era
The new century kicked off with Jobs being named permanent CEO of Apple. In 2001, Apple debuted the iPod and the iTunes digital jukebox software, as well as a new operating system for Macs and its first retail stores. The popularity of the iPod continued to grow, and in 2003, the online iTunes music store opened, selling songs for just 99 cents. It was the first legal mainstream product for obtaining online music. By 2006, 1 billion songs had been purchased. In 2004, Jobs announced he had undergone successful surgery to remove a tumor on his pancreas.
Apple Computers to Apple Inc.
In 2007, Jobs told a crowd at the Macworld Expo that Apple would now be known as Apple Inc., and not Apple Computer, Inc. The company had moved from producing only computers to offering the iPod, iTunes and more. That year, Apple also debuted its widely successful touchscreen smartphone and the less popular Apple TV. In early 2009, Jobs left Apple for a short time to undergo a liver transplant. He returned later in the year. In 2010, Apple launched the iPad, a 10-inch touchscreen tablet. At the beginning of 2011, Jobs announced he would again be taking leave for medical reasons. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook once again steps up in his place.
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