Apple Game Changers
Constant innovation is an Apple hallmark. The timeline below includes some of the major breakthroughs that have shaped and reinvented Apple. Sections in color are part of today’s Apple product line: hardware and software in green, services in blue.
Apple Timeline

1976
Two Steves (Jobs and Wozniak) in a garage; Apple is founded.
1976
Two Steves (Jobs and Wozniak) in a garage; Apple is founded.
1976
Two Steves (Jobs and Wozniak) in a garage; Apple is founded.
1977
Apple II is released; sparks age of the personal computer.
1977
Apple II is released; sparks age of the personal computer.
1977
Apple II is released; sparks age of the personal computer.
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1983
Apple is fastest company to go from zero to Fortune 500.
1983
Apple is fastest company to go from zero to Fortune 500.
1983
Apple is fastest company to go from zero to Fortune 500.
1983
Steve Jobs hires John Sculley, president of Pepsi, as Apple CEO.
1983
Steve Jobs hires John Sculley, president of Pepsi, as Apple CEO.
1983
Steve Jobs hires John Sculley, president of Pepsi, as Apple CEO.
1984
Steve Jobs introduces Macintosh with graphical user interface and mouse; revolutionizes computing.
1984
Steve Jobs introduces Macintosh with graphical user interface and mouse; revolutionizes computing.
1984
Steve Jobs introduces Macintosh with graphical user interface and mouse; revolutionizes computing.
1985
Steve Jobs, forced out of Apple after power struggle with John Sculley, founds new computer company, NeXT.
1985
Steve Jobs, forced out of Apple after power struggle with John Sculley, founds new computer company, NeXT.
1985
Steve Jobs, forced out of Apple after power struggle with John Sculley, founds new computer company, NeXT.
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1996
Apple acquires NeXT; Steve Jobs returns after 11 years.
1996
Apple acquires NeXT; Steve Jobs returns after 11 years.
1996
Apple acquires NeXT; Steve Jobs returns after 11 years.
1997
With Apple in dire financial shape, Steve Jobs shocks long-time fans in accepting $150 million Microsoft investment.
1997
With Apple in dire financial shape, Steve Jobs shocks long-time fans in accepting $150 million Microsoft investment.
1997
With Apple in dire financial shape, Steve Jobs shocks long-time fans in accepting $150 million Microsoft investment.
1997
Steve Jobs announces launch of Apple Online Store.
1997
Steve Jobs announces launch of Apple Online Store.
1997
Steve Jobs announces launch of Apple Online Store.
1998
Steve Jobs unveils first iMac, the translucent Bondi blue iMac G3, designed by Jony Ive and his team.
1998
Steve Jobs unveils first iMac, the translucent Bondi blue iMac G3, designed by Jony Ive and his team.
1998
Steve Jobs unveils first iMac, the translucent Bondi blue iMac G3, designed by Jony Ive and his team.
1999
Apple adds Wi-Fi connectivity, branded as Airport, into its products.
1999
Apple adds Wi-Fi connectivity, branded as Airport, into its products.
1999
Apple adds Wi-Fi connectivity, branded as Airport, into its products.
1999
Apple releases Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro, professional video production suite.
1999
Apple releases Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro, professional video production suite.
1999
Apple releases Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro, professional video production suite.
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2001
First Apple retail stores open in Glendale, CA and Reston, VA; currently over 500 worldwide.
2001
First Apple retail stores open in Glendale, CA and Reston, VA; currently over 500 worldwide.
2001
First Apple retail stores open in Glendale, CA and Reston, VA; currently over 500 worldwide.
2001
Apple releases first version of Mac OS X, based on NeXT software, to replace Mac OS Classic.
2001
Apple releases first version of Mac OS X, based on NeXT software, to replace Mac OS Classic.
2001
Apple releases first version of Mac OS X, based on NeXT software, to replace Mac OS Classic.
2001
Apple releases iPod; holds up to 1,000 songs in your pocket.
2001
Apple releases iPod; holds up to 1,000 songs in your pocket.
2001
Apple releases iPod; holds up to 1,000 songs in your pocket.
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2003
Apple introduces FileVault full disk encryption.
2003
Apple introduces FileVault full disk encryption.
2003
Apple introduces FileVault full disk encryption.
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2007
Steve Jobs introduces iPhone, a blockbuster; ushers in age of ubiquitous information and communications.
2007
Steve Jobs introduces iPhone, a blockbuster; ushers in age of ubiquitous information and communications.
2007
Steve Jobs introduces iPhone, a blockbuster; ushers in age of ubiquitous information and communications.
2007
Steve Jobs announces launch of App Store with 500 vetted, developer-created apps. Count is now at 2 million.
2007
Steve Jobs announces launch of App Store with 500 vetted, developer-created apps. Count is now at 2 million.
2007
Steve Jobs announces launch of App Store with 500 vetted, developer-created apps. Count is now at 2 million.
2009
Apple introduces Device Management Framework for remote configuration and management of Apple devices.
2009
Apple introduces Device Management Framework for remote configuration and management of Apple devices.
2009
Apple introduces Device Management Framework for remote configuration and management of Apple devices.
2010
Apple passes Microsoft in market capitalization to become world’s most valuable technology company.
2010
Apple passes Microsoft in market capitalization to become world’s most valuable technology company.
2010
Apple passes Microsoft in market capitalization to become world’s most valuable technology company.
2010
Steve Jobs introduces iPad; new device category with practical uses across a broad range of industries.
2010
Steve Jobs introduces iPad; new device category with practical uses across a broad range of industries.
2010
Steve Jobs introduces iPad; new device category with practical uses across a broad range of industries.
2011
Steve Jobs introduces iCloud, enables synchronization across devices for storage, backups, and Photo Stream.
2011
Steve Jobs introduces iCloud, enables synchronization across devices for storage, backups, and Photo Stream.
2011
Steve Jobs introduces iCloud, enables synchronization across devices for storage, backups, and Photo Stream.
2011
Steve Jobs, in failing health, resigns as CEO; dies 10 weeks later. Tim Cook, Chief Operations Officer, to lead Apple.
2011
Steve Jobs, in failing health, resigns as CEO; dies 10 weeks later. Tim Cook, Chief Operations Officer, to lead Apple.
2011
Steve Jobs, in failing health, resigns as CEO; dies 10 weeks later. Tim Cook, Chief Operations Officer, to lead Apple.

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....Steve Jobs, in failing health, resigns as CEO; dies 10 weeks later. Tim Cook, Chief Operations Officer, to lead Apple.
2014
Tim Cook introduces Apple Watch, a wearable; ideal for connectivity, health checks, and fitness.
2014
Tim Cook introduces Apple Watch, a wearable; ideal for connectivity, health checks, and fitness.
2014
Tim Cook introduces Apple Watch, a wearable; ideal for connectivity, health checks, and fitness.
2014
Apple introduces Continuity framework; enables seamless work across Apple devices.
2014
Apple introduces Continuity framework; enables seamless work across Apple devices.
2014
Apple introduces Continuity framework; enables seamless work across Apple devices.
2015
Apple Music, a streaming service, introduced.
2015
Apple Music, a streaming service, introduced.
2015
Apple Music, a streaming service, introduced.
2014
Apple introduces AirPods; sets new standard for wireless audio.
2014
Apple introduces AirPods; sets new standard for wireless audio.
2014
Apple introduces AirPods; sets new standard for wireless audio.
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2018
Apple launches Apple Business Manager, enables “zero-touch deployment” and other management features.
2018
Apple launches Apple Business Manager, enables “zero-touch deployment” and other management features.
2018
Apple launches Apple Business Manager, enables “zero-touch deployment” and other management features.
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2020
Tim Cook introduces transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon, Apple-designed "system-on-a-chip.”
2020
Tim Cook introduces transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon, Apple-designed "system-on-a-chip.”
2020
Tim Cook introduces transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon, Apple-designed "system-on-a-chip.”
2021
Apple announces iCloud+, adds privacy protections “Hide My Email” and "Private Relay” to iCloud.
2021
Apple announces iCloud+, adds privacy protections “Hide My Email” and "Private Relay” to iCloud.
2021
Apple announces iCloud+, adds privacy protections “Hide My Email” and "Private Relay” to iCloud.
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2021
Transition to Apple Silicon completed.
2021
Transition to Apple Silicon completed.
2021
Transition to Apple Silicon completed.
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2024
Tim Cook introduces Apple Intelligence, system-wide, privacy-focused features across your apps and data.
2024
Tim Cook introduces Apple Intelligence, system-wide, privacy-focused features across your apps and data.
2024
Tim Cook introduces Apple Intelligence, system-wide, privacy-focused features across your apps and data.
2024
Apple announces Private Cloud Compute for advanced AI processing in a secure cloud, accessible only to the user.
2024
Apple announces Private Cloud Compute for advanced AI processing in a secure cloud, accessible only to the user.
2024
Apple announces Private Cloud Compute for advanced AI processing in a secure cloud, accessible only to the user.
1997
Steve Jobs announces launch of Apple Online Store.
1997
Steve Jobs announces launch of Apple Online Store.