Apple is one of the hottest companies on the planet, with a hit parade of products that include iPhone, iPad, iPod, iTunes, the App Store, and the Mac line. The company's success in not just in its products - it includes how successful it is. In the past month, it became the most valuable company on the planet.
But does that success as a company translate into ripples of success for many?
The answer, says a new study, is a definitive yes.
For investors, AAPL, the company's stock symbol, has been a creator of wealth, and chic, for its stock holders. In the last 3 years alone, the stock has increased from $100 per share to more than $500 per share. Had you bought and held the stock for the last 10 years, a $1,000 investment in 2002 would have grown to nearly $50,000 today. If you want to look smart to your friends, owns at least a share of the stock. Your friends at Fidelity, eTrade or Scottrade will most certainly be ready to help you.
In a report discussed today in the New York Times, the company claims it has created or supported over 500,000 jobs in the United States, and over 700,000 jobs overseas. Apple itself directly employs over 47,000 people in the U.S., and more than 70,000 worldwide.
The report, available on the company website, shows the effects the company has had on suppliers, like Corning, as well as from independent developers who contribute their more than 500,000 products on the wildly successful App Store. The App Store recently reached an astounding 25 billion downloads. iTunes is no slouch either, with more than 15 billion downloads that include songs, podcasts and even university courses.
The findings have drawn criticism and skeptical remarks from professors at Harvard, M.I.T., and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. The professors question the accuracy of the study, which was performed by The Analysis Group, an independent and separate company.
What is not at issue is the spectacular success of what Steve Jobs and the company has created.
The iPhone has redefined the smartphone market. The iPad has redefined what computing is, what it means, and how it's done. The iPod continues to be refreshed and still dominates as a music player. Siri, the personal assistant that helped define the iPhone 4S is coming to the Mac product line.
Apple is without question the most successful consumer tech company. With new products to come, including iPad3, we can only wonder, and impatiently wait, for what's next.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 3