50 Years of Apple: 5 Products that Changed Everything
Apple is 50. The company was launched on April 1st, 1976, going from humble beginnings to one of the most recognized brands in the world. It has, of course, massively influenced the modern world, changing our expectations of consumer technology, particularly over the last two decades.
But which Apple products changed the world the most? We have narrowed it down to five, with the caveat that many of these products were built on the success of previous Apple innovations. We’ve also listed a couple of Apple products that, perhaps surprisingly, flopped:
iPhone
The most revolutionary Apple device? We can’t say for sure, but it is certainly the most influential. The iPhone changed the game, putting a mini computer in our pockets. It might seem so easy now that we can whip out our phones and instantly stream Netflix or play a few hands of blackjack at a social casino online, but this device, announced by Steve Jobs in January 2007, changed the world. Yes, it was not technically the first smartphone, but it was the first to use multi-touch technology and opened the world up to the app economy.
iPod
The iPod wasn’t the first digital music player, and many of us were rocking out with our MP3 players of various shapes and sizes in the early noughties. Yet, the iPod arguably put Apple back on the map, and it introduced us to Steve Jobs’ concept that technology could and should be slick and fashionable. While basically obsolete today, it was the must-have gadget of the early 2000s, changing the music industry forever.
MacBook
There is perhaps an argument that the MacBook is not quite revolutionary, but its success was built on the backs of the early Macintosh computers, where Apple and Steve Jobs always tried to offer something different than run-of-the-mill PCs. That still holds true today. The best way we can describe the MacBook is a premium computer that operates in a different manner from regular laptops. People have bought into that, and it is beloved by IT professionals and designers.
Apple Watch
We debated whether or not to add the Apple Watch to this list, as it is probably not as impactful as others. Yet, Apple Watch has been quietly gaining traction as a must-have device, especially in one of the biggest markets for Apple – healthcare. So, while Apple Watch sales have been modest compared to, say, iPhone, we think it has a bright future, as it will continue to be popular among athletes and the health-conscious. Apple Watch has been something of a sleeper hit for the company, but its influence is growing.
iPad
Is the iPad simply a large iPhone or a revolutionary device in and of itself? Well, the distinction probably doesn’t matter, as the iPad became a massive hit in its own right. And, it’s been adopted into use cases from kids’ homework to graphic designers. Sales remain steady – approximately 60 million per year are sold – 16 years after its introduction.
And the ones that didn’t….
Let’s finish with a reminder that not everything that Apple has touched has turned to gold. Indeed, there have been plenty of misses. These include Apple’s attempt to challenge Nintendo and Sony in the gaming console market in the 1990s with the Apple Pippin, the disastrous Apple III computer, and the Apple Newton. Right now, it is also really struggling with sales of the Apple Vision Pro. It’s not down and out yet, but it has been a bit of a disaster.