Apple
Also known as Apple Inc., Apple Computer, Inc.
Maker of the iPhone, Mac and iPad, in Cupertino; founded 1976 by Jobs, Wozniak and Wayne.
At a glance
People
John Ternus (CEO), Steve Jobs and 4 others
See all 11
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Apple Inc. is an American technology company in Cupertino, California, known for the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods and for services such as the App Store, Apple Music and iCloud.
- Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne founded it in 1976 to sell Wozniak's Apple I.
- After Jobs returned in 1997 it grew through the iMac, iPod (2001), iPhone (2007) and iPad (2010).
- Tim Cook succeeded Jobs as CEO in August 2011; on 1 September 2026 John Ternus became CEO and Cook executive chairman.
Why it matters
- One of the world's most valuable companies; the iPhone set the shape of the smartphone.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1 April 1976, as a partnership of Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne; incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. the next year; renamed Apple Inc. in January 20071
- Headquarters
- Cupertino, California1
- Products
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, HomePod and Apple Vision Pro; iOS, iPadOS and macOS1
- Leadership
- John Ternus CEO and Tim Cook executive chairman from 1 September 2026; Arthur Levinson, chairman for 15 years, became lead independent director1
- Value
- First US public company valued at over $1 trillion (2018); just over $4 trillion in October 20251
People
Led by
- John Ternus
CEO · since 1 Sep 2026 2
Founded by
- Steve JobsPerson
- Steve Wozniak
- Ronald Wayne
Board
Tim Cook (executive chairman), Arthur Levinson (lead independent director, after 15 years as chairman) 1
Before
Led by until 1 Sep 2026
Tim Cook (CEO, succeeding Steve Jobs) 1
Led by until 24 Aug 2011
Steve Jobs (CEO, after Apple bought NeXT; resigned on 24 August 2011) 5
People until Nov 2008
Tony Fadell (hired to design the iPod; ran the iPod division and oversaw iPhone hardware)
People until 2011
Bret Victor (human interface inventor; worked on the initial iPad design) 4
People until 1997
Don Norman (Apple Fellow and vice president) 6
Links
Sources
Last checked against its sources today
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