Apple Innovation, Technology
Gregory Bourque
Averett University
Management Strategy
BSA 444
Mike Jernigan PhD
September 20, 2011

Apple Innovation, Technology
Since its birth in 1976, Apple has remained a forerunner in innovation and technology with a temptation that enthusiasts can hardly resist. From iMacs to iPads, this 35-year-old company has repeatedly created consumer frenzies with elegant innovative products. As they ramp up the next buzz over the new iPad 3, scheduled to hit the market in early 2012, we look at the last decade to unveil the brilliance that catapulted Apple back to the forefront.
By the late 1990’s Apple’s initial pathway to growth was running out of steam. The company’s proprietary approach to designing both hardware and software limited it to being a niche player and hampered its ability to compete. In 2001, Apple began introducing a series of successful new products and services. The iPod, iTunes, and iPhone, propelled the company to the top of the industry. However, the shift was not only a matter of product innovation but thinking differently and saying no to 1000 things. Apple’s real success came from its ability to define a workable business model for downloading digital music. The combination of product innovation and business model innovation put Apple at the center of the market. (The Innovators, V. O., 2004)
Before the iPod, there was the Sony Walkman. Do you remember those days? In 2001, there were other MP3 players emerging with the iPod, but the iPod set the standard for digital music players. A 5GB iPod in 2001 cost $400. Models include iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic; iPod Touch. iTunes gave digital music lovers a way of playing and organizing their music and video files. You can connect to the iTunes Store to purchase music, videos, TV shows, apps and more. (www.infoworld.com, 2011)
Apple introduced the first