Growth Strategies Case Study

Apple’s Future – Expansion into Different Product Lines

OR

Abstract:

Founded on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, Apple Inc. is an American consumer electronics corporation, one of the most renowned companies in the world for computer technology. It is headquartered at Cupertino, California. Apple develops, sells and supports a series of personal computers, portable media players, computer software and hardware accessories. The company’s best-known products include the Macintosh/Mac line of personal computers, the Mac OS X, and the iPod line of portable music players. It also sells audio books, iPod games, music, music videos, TV shows and movies on its online iTunes Store, and announced a smartphone, the iPhone, and the Apple TV in January 2007. Its worldwide annual sales in the fiscal year 2006 (ending September 30, 2006) was US$19.3 billion. Apple pioneered a revolution in the industry and established itself as market leader. With a strong brand image, it has cultivated an exceptionally loyal customer base. It has taken care to differentiate itself from its competitors through its aesthetic design and innovative features, for its products.

The following case illustrates the products of Apple Inc. since its inception and its entry into consumer electronics with new products. The future of Apple looks to change completely along with its name and also the new ventures it has entered into.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• Product expansion and development
• Growth strategies of an established player into new markets
• Future strategies for success for a computer maker
• Challenges and Competition faced by Apple in its new ventures.

Keywords : Apple Inc.; iPhone; iPod; Steve Jobs; Steve Wozniak; Macintosh / Mac; Apple TV; Consumer Electronics; iTunes; Product line; Growth Strategies Case Study; New Product Development; Apple’s Future

Contents : 
Apple (Computer) Inc.
Apple’s New Ventures
Apple’s Future
The New Logo
Revolutionary Models of Mac since its inception
iPod Models since its inception
Comparison of various iPod models
Apple iPhone
Worldwide Cell Phone Market Share for the Year 2006
Annual Financials for Apple Inc