Apple
Apple Redefining the way we live
O
n April 1st 1976, Apple Computer Inc. was founded and the long journey to become one of the world’s favourite tech start-ups began. Recognising the brilliance of Steve Wozniak’s invention, Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne began building the first Apple computer in Jobs’ family home in California. Risking all the money they had, persuading family to help solder parts for their first orders and owing money for the components ultimately saw Wayne sell his share in the company within weeks of Apple Computer Inc.’s inception but with a dream that would eventually become reality, the two Steve’s continued. Each of the 200 Apple Computer 1 units were hand built by Wozniak and it’s said that friends and family helped to solder parts on Jobs’ kitchen table, a far cry from the hundreds of experts involved in producing the millions of units that Apple sells today. As with any company, Apple has had its ups and downs over the years but its Apple’s phenomenal growth in recent
history that solidifies the company as one of the most important and influential brands in the technology industry. With the success of Mac vs PC campaigns and the introduction of the iPod in the early 2000s, it was clear Apple was not content being a small player in the market. Moving to Intel, which offered a vastly superior processing chip, along with the iPod becoming the world’s biggest selling mp3 player and the first ever iPhone not far from being launched, Apple had successfully begun to reach out to the masses. This was just the beginning. With an impressive portfolio of computers, music players, phones and tablets, Apple continued to exceed expectations with every new upgrade and nearly 40 years on, the iPhone is the most loved smartphone in the world. Speaking at the recent Special Apple Event on September 9th 2015, CEO Tim Cook introduced the iPad Watch OS2, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4, latest Apple TV and two brand
new iPhones, the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S plus. These latest products across the entire portfolio pay testimony to Apple’s continuous innovation and highlight its strive for improvement, the new products even contain some technological innovations that have never been seen before. Apple Watch OS2 Changing daily lives across the world, Apple Watch OS2 provides a quick and easy device to communicate, listen to music, purchase goods and monitor health
and fitness of the user from one small, convenient and portable device strapped to their wrist. Cook states that customer satisfaction of the Watch is an incredible 97% highlighting Apple’s ability to meet demands of its customers. Offering a range of faces, straps and apps, Apple Watch users can simply send a text, check the weather, look at their schedule or even find directions from the device on their wrist. As developers continue to work on Apple Watch, new apps and capabilities are available all the time.
iPad Pro & iPad Mini 4 The brand new iPad Pro has an increased size of 78% larger screen area than its previous model and boasts a generous 12.9 inch retina display that enables the user to see and do more than ever before. For the first time, the iPad Pro offers four speakers that create a cinematic experience. iPad Pro enables tools and interactions that haven’t been possible before and continues to transform the way things are done. Achieving its goal of being more productive, it is the flagship of the iPad range and with 5.6 million pixels, it has the highest resolution of any iOS device. Driving its high level of performance is the impressive A9X chip which was specifically designed for the iPad Pro and for the first time ever the tablet’s automatic refresh ability responds to activity, ensuring the iPad is the most energy
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efficient it has been whilst helping the battery maintain its 10 hour life promise. Not content with this one new powerhouse of an iPad, Apple have also introduced the iPad Mini 4 which boasts the power and performance of the iPad Air 2 but weighs just 0.65lbs. Therefore as of September 2015, the iPad line up consists of iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Air Pro creating a collection of iPads that suit every budget and requirement of its customer base.
Apple TV With great content for TV being created all the time, Apple has seen an opportunity in the market to revolutionise the TV experience which has seemingly remained relatively still whilst technology races ahead in other areas of technology. Apple believes the future of TV is through apps, with the transition already beginning as users spend more time on devices than ever.
This month, Apple launched the new Apple TV. Combining TV, Movies, an App Store and music to create one immersive experience, Apple’s interface brings the same connected experience it achieves on its mobile devices through the use of voice and touch in its revolutionary new remote. The Siri remote allows the user to ask for specific shows and filter content based on all sorts of criteria. A user might be looking for funny shows and can ask Siri to ‘show me comedies’; it then lists them sorted by popularity with details and episodes of relevant content. Siri filters search content by cast, age, genre, director and even age rating. With Apps changing how we use phones and tablets, it’s possible that Apps will redefine the way users watch TV. Games that have
previously only been available on consoles will be available on TV and having Apps such as AirBnB at your fingertips enables a family to book a holiday together from the sofa. Specific and exclusive games are also being developed for the TV making the Apple TV experience completely unique and fun for the whole family. Combining visual and social benefits of shopping, apple TV even enables a virtual fashion show to unfold from your living room as you shop using your TV. Furthermore, if sport is on the agenda, Apple TV’s split screen mode enables the user to watch two matches simultaneously and collect live scores from other matches happening at the same time. To quote Apple, ‘This is the foundation for the future of television’ and the new Apple TV will be available in 80 countries by late October 2015. iPhone 6S & iPhone 6S Plus. Launched this year, iPhone 6 is the most popular iPhone ever and impressively the ‘most loved phone’ according to Apple. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus strive to be the most innovative yet with the tag line ‘the only thing that’s changed is everything’, Apple even claims that these iPhones are the most advanced smart phone in the world. Made with the strongest glass in the industry, these new phones are incredibly durable. Introducing 3D touch, along with recognising familiar gestures, the latest iPhones recognise the force behind each touch and react in a smooth, linear way. The phone even creates shortcuts for frequent activities and provides distinct, tactile feedback to actions.
This combination of hardware and software engineering makes the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus the most advanced iPhone that Apple has ever invented and adds an entirely new experience to the user. Furthermore, the new 12MP iSight camera even offers 50% more pixels than the previous iPhone 6, without comprising on the focus and results of the photo and for the first time, the new iPhone can shoot 4K video which has the ability to capture videos with 8 million pixels in every frame and is complimented by a 5MP FaceTime HD camera. Perhaps the most impressive new feature of all is the live photo feature that Apple announced this month which enables a photo to come alive like never before by capturing seconds before and after the photo. Finally, the all-important iPhone WiFi connectivity is twice as fast as before and as all Apple products are, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are made in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
THE CEO Cook is the man behind the most valuable company in the world and joined Apple in 1998 following a 12 year career at IBM, among other positions. Aged 54, Cook also serves on the board of directors of Nike Inc. and the National Football Foundation. He exclaimed in the recent Special Apple Event that it is Apple’s employees that are changing lives. T Through innovative technology, it is undeniable that Apple’s innovation in new product development has revolutionised the way we communicate. Cook has just completed his fourth year as CEO of Apple succeeding Steve Jobs in 2011. From humble beginnings, Apple is the perfect example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination and innovation. Its philosophy is literally ‘simple’ and it is that ethos that appeals to consumers across the globe. Today, following another incredible year, Apple continues to shine as one of the most loved brands in the world whilst its growth and sales go from strength to strength.
Oliver Moy Publisher For enquiries email okm@aubusinesscoverage.com African Business Coverage Issue 9