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Apple - iPod Situation Analysis

Apple Computer has long been known as the most innovative personal computer company on the planet. What began as a revolutionary foray into personal computing with the Apple II, the company is largely credited with helping to shape how people use computers with its implementation of the graphical user interface in its famous Macintosh (beginning in 1984). All content Ð'© Peter T Graber, 2004

Situation Analysis

Apple began in 1976 and was founded by current CEO Steven Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne. After a successful start with the Apple II in 1977, the company continued to pursue innovation and went on to introduce the Apple Macintosh in 1984. The Macintosh featured a new and revolutionary operating system with a series of easy to understand metaphors like "trashcan", "note", etc. The Macintosh became a milestone in the development of computer industry, leading companies like Microsoft to incorporate many of its features. Since then, Apple has continually designed and manufactured innovate personal computer hardware and software.

The company serves all markets that use personal desktop computers and related devices and software. This includes schools, corporations, governments and general consumers. Of these markets, Apple currently maintains the strongest share within the multi-media and creative industries. Increasingly, however, the company has begun to serve general consumers desiring access to products and services related to digital multi-media delivery. A linchpin of this is Apple's portable MP3 player - the iPod - and their related software services, namely iTunes and the iTunes Music Store. The iTunes Music Store is one of the only commercially successful legal online music download services on the market with over 70% market share and over 70 million songs sold.