How Apple Changed the World: 7 Winners and 1 Lemon
Staff Report
Apple-1 computerOne of the first personal computers, the Apple-1 originally sold for $666.66 in 1976. Only 200 of the machines designed by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs were made. One of the 50 or so surviving models sold last year at auction for more than $200,000.One of the first personal computers, the Apple-1 originally sold for $666.66 in 1976. Only 200 of the machines designed by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs were made. One of the 50 or so surviving models sold last year at auction for more than $200,000.C/PMuseumApple IIApple's first big hit, the Apple II computer was introduced in 1976 and retailed for $1,298. It was widely adopted in schools and gained a legion of fans, helping the Apple II series stay in production until 1993.Apple's first big hit, the Apple II computer was introduced in 1976 and retailed for $1,298. It was widely adopted in schools and gained a legion of fans, helping the Apple II series stay in production until 1993.Vectronic's Apple WorldMacintoshIntroduced in January 1984 (accompanied by Apple's now iconic "1984" Super Bowl ad directed by Ridley Scott., the Mac was the first popular computer to feature a mouseIntroduced in January 1984 (accompanied by Apple's now iconic "1984" Super Bowl ad directed by Ridley Scott., the Mac was the first popular computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface.Mac HistoryNewtonOne of Apple's most notable failures, the Newton was an early personal digital assistant developed by the company under John Sculley, who had taken over as CEO in 1983 and ousted Jobs in 1985. Launched in 1993, the Newton was pricey and glitchy--and was kOne of Apple's most notable failures, the Newton was an early personal digital assistant developed by the company under John Sculley, who had taken over as CEO in 1983 and ousted Jobs in 1985. Launched in 1993, the Newton was pricey and glitchy--and was killed after Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997. But engineers who had helped develop the Newton were later brought back to design the user interface of the iPod.Wikimedia.orgiMac G3Apple captured the computing public's imagination once again after Steve Jobs returned to the company's helm in 1997. The candy-colored, all-in-one line of iMacs rolled out in 1998 won critical as well as consumer acclaim and reportedly led Apple to boastApple captured the computing public's imagination once again after Steve Jobs returned to the company's helm in 1997. The candy-colored, all-in-one line of iMacs rolled out in 1998 won critical as well as consumer acclaim and reportedly led Apple to boast that "the back of our computer looks better than the front of anyone else's.Getty ImagesiPodReleased in November 2001' the iPod media player catapulted Apple back to prominence--and then dominance--in the tech world. Along with the iTunes music store, the device revolutionized the music industry. Later variations included the iPod mini, the iPodReleased in November 2001' the iPod media player catapulted Apple back to prominence--and then dominance--in the tech world. Along with the iTunes music store, the device revolutionized the music industry. Later variations included the iPod mini, the iPod nano, the iPod shuffle, and the IPod touch. Through September 1, 2010 Apple had sold 275 million of the devices.Getty ImagesiPhoneApple entered the smartphone market in 2007, and the iPhone has completely upended the telecom landscape since. The iPhone's design, touchscreen, and third-party apps set new standards for mobile competitors. The must-have phone also upended the previousApple entered the smartphone market in 2007, and the iPhone has completely upended the telecom landscape since. The iPhone's design, touchscreen, and third-party apps set new standards for mobile competitors. The must-have phone also upended the previous cellphone industry power structure, weakening the negotiating might of carriers such as AT&T and helping Apple become the world's most valuable company.David Paul Morris/Getty ImagesiPadAnother category killer, the iPad tablet was introduced in April 2010--and consumers promptly snapped up 3 million in less than three months. The iPad 2 followed in March 2011. Despite a slew of competing products, Apple now holds a commanding share of thAnother category killer, the iPad tablet was introduced in April 2010--and consumers promptly snapped up 3 million in less than three months. The iPad 2 followed in March 2011. Despite a slew of competing products, Apple now holds a commanding share of the rapidly growing market for tablets.Apple
