Background

1.1 Company background

In 1976, Apple began at a computer company. However, in the past decade, Apple has been extended to a very complex company, specializing in far more than just computers. In 2001, Apple broke the barriers, eventually become the dominant market leader in the music player with the iPod. The same time, Apple joined the phone industry in 2007 with the iPhone, which has also been widely successful.

Apple is a consumer products company, its valuation, its products and consumers need to know. This can be very difficult, because of Apple's competitors, including the needs of many different companies throughout different industries. A good description from Wikipedia describes Apple: "For reasons varying from its philosophy of comprehensive aesthetic design to its distinctive advertising campaigns, Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronics industry." One of the things is that it has a very strong customer base. It is very important to understand Apple!

Different products, brands marketed by the company (Apple)

As information, Apple's products and services include iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the iOS and OS X operating systems, iCloud, and a variety of accessory, service and support offerings. The company also sells and delivers digital content and applications through the iTunes Store, App StoreSM, iBookstoreSM, and Mac App Store. Apple sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, and direct sales force, as well as through third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers. In February 2012, the Company acquired app-search engine Chomp.

Apple offers a range of mobile communication and media devices, personal computing products and portable digital music players, as well as a variety of related software, services peripherals, networking solutions and third-party hardware and software...