History of Apple (2006)

This year, 2006, Apple’s market capitalization reaches US460.56 billion dollars (annual amount, but in December 2006 alone, it was US$71.25 billion. Market capitalization equals the price per share of a company times the number of shares outstanding market capitalization (market and financial statement data provided by NASDAQ, BATS Exchange, SEC and Xignite Inc. Industry). In June , 2005, Steve Jobs announced that Apple would begin producing Intel-based Macintosh computers beginning in 2006. He also confirmed rumors that the company had secretly been producing versions of its operating system Mac OS X for both PowerPC and Intel processors over the past 5 years, and that the transition to Intel processor systems would last through 2006 and 2007. Rumors of cross-platform compatibility had been spurred by the fact that Mac OS X is based on OpenStep, an operating system that was available for many platforms. In fact, Apple’s own Darwin, the open source underpinnings of Mac OS X, was also available for Intel’s x86 architecture.

History of the Apple Computer Corporation

Apple History 2006

January 2006: Apple Computer introduces the first iMac computer with an Intel processor. It features 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo T2500 processor, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, 128 MB ATI Radeon X1600 graphics card, dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, Mac OS X 10.4.4, 20-inch wide-screen LCD, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2, iSight camera, USB, FireWire, audio, Ethernet. Price is US$1699.

January 2006: The Brent Cross Apple store opens in the London area, UK.

January 8, 2006: Chrysler Group and Apple announce iPod integration.

January 10, 2006: Apple unveils new iMac with Intel Core Duo processor. The company introduces MacBook Pro (to ship in February), iLife ’06 and iWork ’06 are released, as well as the iPod Radio Remote.

January 26, 2006: MTV Networks’ hit programming from MTV, COMEDY CENTRAL & Nickelodeon are now available on the iTunes Music store.

February 7, 2006: Apple Unveils New 1GB iPod nano at $149.

February 7, 2006: SHOWTIME & Apple offer premium Cable programming on the iTunes Music store.

February 14, 2006: Apple Computer introduces the Apple MacBook Pro computer. It features 1.83 GHz or 2 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 100 GB hard drive, 256 MB RAM, ATI graphics, 802.11a/g wireless, DVD+/-RW drive, iSight camera, 2 USB ports, FireWire 400 port, Express Card slot. Weight is 5.5 pounds; price range is US$1999 to US$3099.

February 23, 2006: iTunes Music Store Downloads Top One Billion Songs.

February 28, 2006: Apple Computer ships a new Mac Mini computer. It features 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, 1 Gbit Ethernet, 802.11g wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, four USB 2.0 ports, optical digital in/out ports, infrared remote. Price is US$599. Price for a 1.66 GHz Core Duo version is US$799.

February 28, 2006: Apple announces iPod Hi-Fi.

March 2006: Appple opens another Apple store in Sapporo, Japan.

March 14, 2006: CBS Sports & Apple offer 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on the iTunes Music store.

March 29, 2006: Apple provides Volume Limit setting for iPod.

March 30, 2006: Apple ships Final Cut Studio 5.1.

April 4, 2006: Red Hot Chili Peppers “Stadium Arcadium” is available for digital pre-order exclusively on the iTunes Music store. Dave Matthews Band catalog is now available on the iTunes Music store.

April 5, 2206: Apple Computer releases the Boot Camp software allowing the new Intel-based Apple computers to run Windows XP.

April 11, 2006: Apple Introduces Apple Remote Desktop 3.

April, 13, 2006: Apple Releases Aperture 1.1.

April 24, 2006: Apple releases a new MacBook Pro portable computer. It features 17-inch widescreen display, 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 667 MHz bus, iSight camera, 8X dual-layer SuperDrive, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB hard drive. Weight is 6.8 pounds, thickness is one inch; price is US$2799.

May 2006: Apple releases new MacBook portable computers. They feature 1.83 GHz or 2 GHz Intel Core Duo, 512 MB RAM, 60/80 GB hard drive, 13.3 inch widescreen, Size is 1.1 x 12.8 x 8.9 inches, weight is 5.2 pounds, prices are US$1099/1299/1499.

May 9, 2006: Hit programming from Fox Entertainment Group’s Fox, FX, Speed, Fuel & 20th Century Fox Television Library are now available on the iTunes Music store.

May 16, 2006: Apple unveils New MacBook featuring Intel Core Duo processors.

May 18, 2006: Apple releases Final Cut Express HD 3.5.

May 19, 2006: The Apple store Fifth Avenue, New-York, New-York opens.

May 23, 2006: Nike and Apple team up to launch Nike+iPod.

May 31, 2006: Apple launches free computer take-back program.

June 2006: MTV Networks & Apple Bring More Music, Comedy & Entertainment programming to the iTunes Music store.

June 6, 2006: Apple introduces the new U2 iPod.

June 8, 2006: CBS’s “CSI” and “Survivor” are now available on the iTunes Music store.

June 20, 2006: Apple Releases Shake 4.1.

June 26, 2006: Apple announces that its executives will preview Mac OS X “Leopard” at WWDC 2006 Keynote.

July 25, 2006: Warner Bros. and July 5, 2006: Apple introduces $899 education configuration for 17-inch iMac.

July 27, 2006: Apple introduces wireless Mighty Mouse.Apple bring television favorites to the iTunes Music store.

July 27, 2006: E! Entertainment Television and Apple announce the debut of hit programs on the iTunes Music store.

August 2006: Apple Computer updates the iMac computer: 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo, 17-inch display, iSight camera, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 2 FireWire ports, 1 Gb Ethernet, 512 MB RAM, Combo drive, 160 GB hard drive, US$999. 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo, 17-inch display, iSight camera, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 2 FireWire ports, 1 Gb Ethernet, 1 GB RAM, SuperDrive, 160 GB hard drive, US$1199. 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo, 20-inch display, iSight camera, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 2 FireWire ports, 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM, SuperDrive, US$1499. 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo, 24-inch display, iSight camera, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT with 128 MB RAM and 1920×1200 graphics, 4 MB shared Level 2 cache, 2 FireWire ports, 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM, 8X SuperDrive, US$1999.

August 2006: Apple Computer releases new Mac mini computers: 1.66 Core Duo processor US$599. 1.83 GHz Core Duo processor US$799.

August 2006: iTunes Music store adds Linkin Park catalog, exclusive bonus tracks & digital booklets.

August 1, 2006: New TBS, Inc. Network Programming from CNN, Adult Swim & Cartoon Network are now available on the iTunes Music store.

August 2, 2006: Apple announces that European iTunes Music store tops 200 Million songs sold. Coca-Cola & Apple team up on major music promotions in Europe

August 3, 2006: Apple teams up with ford, General Motors and Mazda to deliver seamless iPod integration.

August 8, 2006: Columbia Records and Apple offer exclusive digital pre-order of Bob Dylan’s new album “Modern Times” and advance ticket pre-sale for upcoming concert tour.

August 7, 2006: In San Francisco, California, Apple Computer holds its Worldwide Developers Conference, over five days. At the conference Apple unveils new Mac Pro featuring Quad 64-bit Xeon processors, introduces Xserve with Quad 64-bit Xeon processors, previews Mac OS X Leopard and Mac OS X Server Leopard.

August 9, 2006: Award-winning programming from A&E Television networks is now available on the iTunes Music store. Apple launches “Summer of Music” in Japan.

August 11, 2006: Apple announces update regarding stock option grants.

August 23, 2006: Apple & Creative announce broad Settlement ending legal disputes between the companies.

August 24, 2006: Apple Computer announces the second-largest personal computer battery recall in history, affecting 1.7 million older iBook and PowerBook systems.

August 29, 2006: Google CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt joins Apple’s Board of Directors.

July-September 2006: Shipments of personal computers during the quarter: Apple 1.61 million.

September 6, 2006: Apple iMac line now features Intel Core 2 Duo Processors in every model.

September 12, 2006: Apple announces iTunes 7 with new features. NFL & Apple offer now 2006 NFL highlights on the iTunes Store. On the same occasion Apple introduces the new iPod nano, the new iPod shuffle, the new iPod.

September 25, 2006: Apple Releases Aperture 1.5.

October 2006: Global usage share of Web browsers: Internet Explorer 86 percent, Firefox 11.5 percent, Safari under 2 percent, Opera under 2 percent.

October 4, 2006: Apple announces that the special committee of its board of directors has reported its findings after a three month investigation into Apple’s stock option practices. The special committee of outside directors, together with independent counsel and accountants, examined more than 650,000 emails and documents, and conducted interviews with more than 40 current and former employees, directors and advisers. Apple initiated this voluntary independent investigation after a management review discovered irregularities in past stock option grants. The independent investigation’s key findings are: • The investigation found no misconduct by any member of Apple’s current management team. • The most recent evidence of irregularities relates to a January 2002 grant. • Stock option grants made on 15 dates between 1997 and 2002 appear to have grant dates that precede the approval of those grants. • In a few instances, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was aware that favorable grant dates had been selected, but he did not receive or otherwise benefit from these grants and was unaware of the accounting implications. • The investigation raised serious concerns regarding the actions of two former officers in connection with the accounting, recording and reporting of stock option grants. The company will provide all details regarding their actions to the SEC. “I apologize to Apple’s shareholders and employees for these problems, which happened on my watch. They are completely out of character for Apple,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We will now work to resolve the remaining issues as quickly as possible and to put the proper remedial measures in place to ensure that this never happens again.”

October 5, 2006: Starbucks Hear Music Now is added to the iTunes Store.

October 13, 2006: Apple Announces iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition.

October 24, 2006: Apple updates MacBook Pro notebooks. They now feature Intel Core 2 Duo Processors.

October 26, 2006: BMG Japan Catalog is now available on the iTunes store.

October 31, 2006: Apple’s new iPod shuffle is available worldwide.

November 1, 2006: Apple announces iTunes Latino on the iTunes Store. Telemundo & mun2 announce the debut of hit Latin Television content on the iTunes store.

November 3, 2006: Apple announces New 8GB Model of iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition.

November 8, 2006: Apple Computer releases a new MacBook Pro computer: 17-inch 1680 x 1050 pixel wide-screen display, Intel 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon X1600 with 256 MB, iSight camera, AirPort Extreme wireless networking, Bluetooth 2.0 and EDR wireless networking. Price is US$2799.

November 13, 2006: Donald J. Rosenberg joins Apple as General Counsel.

November 14, 2006: Apple Teams Up With Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM & United to deliver iPod integration.

October-December 2006: Shipments of personal computers worldwide: Dell 9.6 million, Apple 1.606 million.

December 6, 2006: Apple launches iTunes & Online Apple stores in New Zealand.

Bibliography:

• Chronology of Events in the History of Microcomputers: islandnet.com/~kpolsson/comphist.
• Apple History: http://www.apple-history.com.
• Wikipedia.
• iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It. 2007. by Steve Wozniak and Gina Smith.
• Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

Links

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