15 Interesting Facts About Apple

Introduction:

Apple Inc. has been a major player in the tech world for what seems an eternity. While the company has always been a significant force, the recent growth and success of the juggernaut has been nothing short of spectacular. Here we look at 15 interesting facts about Apple that may surprise even the most ardent fan.

Fact 1: Steve Jobs was Fired from Apple

Yes, that’s right! Steve Jobs was controversially fired from the company he co-founded, in 1985, by then-CEO John Sculley. That said, Jobs would find future success with NeXT, Pixar, and of course a return to Apple, a decade later.

Fact 2: Apple was Created in a Garage

Apple was founded in a California residential garage in 1976. The first models of the iconic Apple computer were produced in that little garage before the entire operation moved from the family home of co-founder Steve Jobs to bigger premises.

Fact 3: Apple is the First Trillion-Dollar Company

Apple became the world’s first publicly traded company to hit the trillion-dollar mark in value in 2018. With decades of innovation and success in its pocket, the trend since has really only been upwards for one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Fact 4: Apple was Born as Apple Computer Inc.

When the company was formed in 1977, a peculiarity of the time meant that any company getting involved in computer production had to have the word ‘computer’ in its name. Thus, Apple was born as Apple Computer Inc. before later being drop the ‘computer’ in 2007.

Fact 5: iTunes is Apple’s Biggest Product

Most people think of iPhones or computers when they think of the Apple product lines, but the longest-running product, one that was updated as recently as October 2019, is the digital media program iTunes. It got its start as a jukebox-style music player and it’s now an essential cornerstone of Apple’s entire media empire.

Fact 6: Apple is the Largest IT Company in the World

Measured in terms of its overall gross sales across its entire portfolio, Apple is the largest IT company in the world. Its products and services span across technology, media, cloud, and wearable devices, making it a leader in the tech industry.

Fact 7: Apple is Cash-Rich

As of July 2019, Apple had a staggering $244 billion in cash and marketable securities. This figure alone is more than the total market capitalization of some of the other big tech companies, such as AMD and IBM.

Fact 8: Many Apple Products Have Unusual Names

Long before the iPhone 12 came out, Apple had been working on infusing its products with whimsy. The original Macintosh, for example, was code named after a McIntosh apple, while the original iMac was named after the sun, with the ‘i’ standing for ‘Internet’.

Fact 9: Apple was the World’s First $700 Billion Company

In May 2015, Apple became the world’s first publicly traded company to hit the $700 billion valuation mark, a feat achieved through decades of success and innovation on the back of the sellable products, such as the iPhone.

Fact 10: Apple Has Produced TV Shows and Movies

Apple now has its own time streaming service, but it has also produced some of its own original content in the past. In 1994, it even released its own feature film – ‘The Pallbearer’, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, David Schwimmer, and Toni Collette.

Fact 11: Apple and Android Have Been in Court

It’s no secret that Apple and Android are at loggerheads. The two tech giants have battled it out in the marketplace and for customers, but they’ve been in court over a patent infringement case — Apple accused Samsung of infringing its patents related to the design of the iPhone and iPad; a case that has since been settled.

Fact 12: iPhone X Cost Over $50 to Make

Despite the high cost of the iPhones, the cost of their production is surprisingly modest. Each iPhone X reportedly cost just over $50 to make! This figure is even more surprising when you consider the price tag attached to this particular model, as it was reportedly priced at $999 at launch.

Fact 13: Apple Hates Leakers

Apple is notoriously secretive when it comes to its forthcoming products, and it has been known to take drastic measures to ensure its secrecy. As a result, it’s not unusual for Apple to take legal action against leakers, including prosecuting former employees, to prevent information about its products slipping out.

Fact 14: Apple Counterfeit Goods Are Everywhere

The iconic Apple logo is one of the most counterfeited and pirated logos around, and Apple products are no stranger to counterfeiting. It’s estimated that around 95% of chargers sold in China are counterfeits, and counterfeiting is an even bigger problem in Africa.

Fact 15: Apple Took Its Name From a Fruit

No, it’s not the Apple tree — the company actually got its name from the ‘McIntosh Red’ apple that Steve Jobs found himself drawn to. He believed that the name ‘Apple’ would provide a sense of comfort and familiarity to people who were less tech savvy.

Conclusion

It’s clear that Apple Inc. has a long and fascinating history. As one of the most successful companies in the world, the iconic tech giant has had its share of interesting stories, details on its past, and its current state of play. The 15 facts featured in this article barely scratch the surface of the juggernaut’s long and illustrious history.