Apple Inc. facts for kids
Apple logo used since 1999
|
|
Apple Park, the company's headquarters, in Cupertino, California
|
|
|
Formerly
|
|
|---|---|
| Public | |
| Traded as | |
| Industry | Technology |
| Founded | April 1, 1976 , in Los Altos, California, US |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | Apple Park,
Cupertino, California
,
US
|
|
Number of locations
|
540 Apple Stores |
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
|
Key people
|
|
| Products |
|
| Services |
|
| Revenue |  US$416 billion |
|
Operating income
|
US$133 billion |
| US$112 billion |
|
| Total assets |  US$359 billion |
| Total equity | US$74 billion |
|
Number of employees
|
166,000 |
Apple Inc. is a famous American technology company that makes computers, phones, and digital gadgets. Its main headquarters is in Cupertino, California, inside a famous region called Silicon Valley. Apple creates popular consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Three friends named Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne founded the business on April 1, 1976. They wanted to build smaller computers that regular people could use at home. Today, Apple is recognized as one of the world's largest Big Tech companies.
Apple changed the world of personal computing with early inventions like the Apple II and the Macintosh. Over the years, the company expanded far beyond desktops. It became famous worldwide for making the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Millions of people use its operating systems like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS every single day. People also listen to songs on Apple Music and store photos inside iCloud. Today, Apple is one of the most valuable businesses on Earth, with hundreds of Apple Store shops welcoming visitors across the globe.
Contents
History of Apple Inc. and its Computers
Apple started in the garage of Steve Jobs' parents' home in Los Altos, California. Steve Wozniak was a brilliant engineer who designed a basic computer called the Apple I. Steve Jobs saw a great business opportunity and wanted to sell it. Ronald Wayne helped write the paperwork to form the partnership, but he left the company soon after. To get money to make their first machines, Jobs sold his Volkswagen Bus. Wozniak sold his expensive HP-65 calculator. Together, they raised about $1,300 to begin building computer circuit boards.
Wozniak showed their first prototype at a local computer club called the Homebrew Computer Club. A computer shop called the Byte Shop ordered 50 assembled units. Unlike many other hobby computers sold as kits, the Apple I came with an assembled motherboard. It contained a CPU, RAM, and video parts that connected to an ordinary television set. However, buyers still had to build their own wooden case, add a power unit, and attach a keyboard. Jobs and Wozniak sold the Apple I for $666.66 each.
Creating the Apple II and Going Public
Apple Computer, Inc. incorporated as an official company on January 3, 1977. A wealthy businessman named Mike Markkula invested money and taught the founders how to run a real corporation. That same year, Wozniak designed the Apple II. Apple presented it at the West Coast Computer Faire. Along with the Commodore PET 2001 and the TRS-80, it belonged to the "1977 Trinity" of early home computers. The Apple II had a nice plastic case, a keyboard, and support for color graphics.
Apple soon released the Disk II floppy disk drive to replace slow cassette tapes. In 1979, programmers launched VisiCalc, the first digital spreadsheet program. VisiCalc was an early "killer application" that made businesses buy Apple II computers to manage numbers easily. On December 12, 1980, Apple launched an initial public offering on the Nasdaq stock market. Apple sold millions of shares, raising over $100 million. Many Apple employees and early investors became instant millionaires on that single day.
The Macintosh Revolution and Internal Struggles
In late 1979, Steve Jobs visited a research center named Xerox PARC. There, he saw a computer called the Xerox Alto. It used a graphical user interface that people could navigate using a handheld computer mouse. Jobs loved this visual approach. Apple first tried this system on an expensive machine named the Apple Lisa in 1983. Because the Lisa cost too much money, it did not sell well. Jobs then took over a smaller project called the Macintosh.
Apple launched the original Macintosh in January 1984 with a famous television commercial called "1984", directed by Ridley Scott. The commercial aired during Super Bowl XVIII and became legendary. The Mac brought visual computing to everyday consumers. However, early sales slowed down because the machine had limited memory. Steve Jobs clashed with Chief Executive Officer John Sculley. After an internal disagreement, the board sided with Sculley. Jobs left Apple in 1985 to create a new computer company named NeXT. Wozniak also stepped away from his active role around the same time.
In the late 1980s, Apple combined the Macintosh with the LaserWriter printer and Aldus PageMaker software. This created the modern desktop publishing industry. People could now design newsletters and books right from their desks. Apple released the Macintosh II with color displays and the popular Macintosh LC. In 1991, Apple launched the PowerBook laptop line, which set the standard design for modern laptops by adding palm rests and a built-in pointing device. Apple also introduced System 7, a huge software upgrade.
Tough Times and Steve Jobs Returns
By the mid-1990s, Apple faced serious competition. Millions of people bought cheaper PC clones running Microsoft Windows. Apple tried selling many confusing computer models like the Quadra, Centris, and Performa. It also tried making different devices like the QuickTake digital camera, the Pippin gaming machine, and the Apple Newton handheld assistant. None of these gadgets sold well. Apple joined the AIM alliance with IBM and Motorola to create PowerPC processors for the new Power Macintosh. Even so, Apple was losing money quickly.
In 1996, Apple CEO Gil Amelio decided Apple needed new software. In early 1997, Apple bought Jobs' company, NeXT, to use its operating system. This purchase brought Steve Jobs back to Apple as an advisor. Soon after, the board chose Jobs to lead the company again. Jobs quickly canceled struggling projects and focused on just four main computers: two desktops and two laptops. He also worked with Microsoft to settle legal fights and get new software for Mac users.
The Golden Era of Digital Gadgets
Steve Jobs teamed up with designer Jony Ive to build fun, exciting hardware. In 1998, they released the iMac, an all-in-one desktop with bright blue see-through plastic. The iMac had built-in USB ports and connected easily to the Internet. It became an instant hit. Apple followed this success with the colorful iBook laptop for students and consumers. Apple also created creative programs like iMovie for editing home videos and GarageBand for making music.
In 2001, Apple launched three things that changed its destiny. It released Mac OS X, a completely new and stable operating system. It opened its very first Apple Store retail locations in Virginia and California. Finally, Apple introduced the iPod digital music player. The iPod let music fans carry thousands of songs in their pockets. In 2003, Apple opened the iTunes Store, where people could legally buy and download music for 99 cents per track. In 2006, Apple switched its Mac computers to use fast Intel processors, releasing the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini.
The iPhone and Mobile Revolution
.jpg)
In January 2007, Steve Jobs showed the world the first iPhone. He explained that it was three devices in one: a widescreen iPod, a revolutionary phone, and an Internet communicator. Instead of physical buttons, the phone used a clever multi-touch screen that responded to finger taps and gestures. When it hit stores that summer, customers stood in long lines outside shops. Apple also dropped "Computer" from its name, becoming just Apple Inc.
In 2008, Apple launched the App Store. Now outside software makers could design games and programs for the iPhone. The App Store created a huge global software economy. In 2010, Jobs introduced the iPad, a sleek tablet computer designed for reading books, surfing websites, watching movies, and playing games. During this time, Apple became one of the most profitable companies on the planet.
Jobs faced serious health issues and took medical leaves to focus on his well-being. Chief operating officer Tim Cook helped run everyday operations during these times. In June 2011, Jobs introduced iCloud, an online tool that saves photos, documents, and backups automatically across devices. In August 2011, Jobs stepped down as chief executive officer, and Tim Cook became the new CEO. Jobs died on October 5, 2011, leaving behind a lasting legacy of design and creativity.
Expansion Under Tim Cook
.jpg)
Under Tim Cook, Apple grew bigger than ever before. In late 2011, Apple launched the iPhone 4s, which included Siri, a voice assistant that answers spoken questions. In 2014, Apple bought Beats Electronics, a famous headphone company started by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. Apple used Beats technology to build its subscription service, Apple Music.
Apple launched the Apple Watch in 2015. While it was first presented as a stylish wrist gadget, it quickly became an essential tool for health, exercise, and activity trackers. In 2017, Apple introduced the iPhone X. This phone removed the old home button, used an edge-to-edge screen, and introduced Face ID facial recognition. Apple also created the HomePod smart speaker and founded a film studio that produced the movie CODA, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Starting in 2020, Apple began a huge transition called Apple silicon. Instead of using Intel processors, Apple designed its own fast computer chips, beginning with the M1. These processors made Macs faster while using much less battery power. In 2024, Apple entered the world of mixed-reality by releasing the Vision Pro headset. That same year, it introduced Apple Intelligence to bring smart helper features to phones and computers. In 2026, Tim Cook became executive chairman of the board, and John Ternus became the company's new CEO.
Popular Apple Products and Services
Apple builds many different devices that work smoothly together in a setup often called the Apple ecosystem.
Mac Computers
The Mac line includes both portable laptops and stationary desktop computers running macOS:
- MacBook Air – An extremely thin and light laptop for school, home, and travel.
- MacBook Pro – A powerful laptop built for artists, programmers, and video creators.
- iMac – A colorful all-in-one desktop computer with a screen and computer in one piece.
- Mac Mini and Mac Studio – Compact desktop computers that plug into separate monitors.
- MacBook Neo – An affordable laptop option designed for everyday tasks.
iPhone, iPad, and Wearables
- iPhone: Apple's famous smartphone runs on iOS. Over half of Apple's earnings come from selling iPhones. Millions of people use it to take pictures, text friends, play games, and run apps.
- iPad: This handheld tablet computer runs iPadOS. Models include the standard iPad, the small iPad Mini, the lightweight iPad Air, and the professional iPad Pro.
- Wearable Gadgets: Apple makes AirPods wireless earbuds, Beats headphones, and the Apple Watch. It also builds the Apple TV streaming box and HomePod sound systems.
Digital Services
Apple provides many popular internet services:
- App Store – A huge online digital shop for finding games, drawing programs, and tools.
- iCloud – A safe cloud storage tool that stores personal photos, passwords, and device backups.
- Apple Pay and Apple Card – Digital wallet tools that let people buy things securely using phones or watches.
- Apple Music and Apple TV – Streaming platforms that offer songs, albums, movies, and family television shows.
Company Culture, Stores, and the Environment
Apple's main office is called Apple Park, located in Cupertino, California. The main building is shaped like a giant circle and is surrounded by thousands of green trees, walking paths, and solar panels. Apple also maintains offices across the globe, including large hubs in Cork, Ireland, and Austin, Texas.
Steve Jobs believed that technology should be fun and easy to use. Apple uses simple, eye-catching advertising. Its famous marketing campaigns, such as "Think different" and "Get a Mac", became famous worldwide. Beautiful retail Apple Store locations feature clear glass walls, open tables, and a Genius Bar where technicians help customers fix computer problems. Flagship shops, such as Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City, look like modern works of architecture.
Caring for the Planet
Apple works hard to protect nature and run a cleaner business. Many of its corporate offices, stores, and data centers run on clean renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy. Apple builds products using recycled aluminum, recycled gold, and recycled tin. The company has removed harmful chemicals like mercury, arsenic, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from its computer parts and wiring cables. In addition, Apple designs its cardboard product boxes using recycled paper to protect wild forests. Apple plans to make its entire supply chain carbon neutral to help fight global climate change.
Through its history of bold ideas, Apple grew from a tiny California garage into a world-famous tech pioneer. Its creative hardware, helpful software, and focus on clean design have completely transformed how human beings work, play, and communicate every single day.
Related Pages
In Spanish: Apple para niños
