Apple has officially announced that it will hold its annual fall event on Monday, September 9, 2024 where the iPhone 16 series will be launched. In addition to the iPhone, Apple plans to introduce other products, including new Apple Watches, upgraded AirPods, and potentially a refreshed iPad mini.
Since we have some time, let's take a look at the amazing journey of some of Apple's key product launches.
Apple is arguably the most popular technology company globally, if not among all sectors. It has made aspirational products, notably the iPhone, for over fifteen years, shaping industry trends in design and software. Established by Steve Jobs on 1 April 1976 in Los Altos, California, United States, it is now headquartered in Cupertino at Apple Park. Creatives and professionals favour it for its creator-friendly approach, professional-grade apps, and secure software.
Earlier this year, at the WWDC event, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence for its lineup of iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Soon, it will reveal the latest iPhone 16 models alongside the Apple Watch Series 10, marking a major event as it takes the first step in its AI journey.
Over the years, several milestones have solidified Apple's role as an industry trendsetter. Here are some key events and announcements that have shape its narrative:
Apple iPhone 16 Launch event 2024
Apple has announced that it will unveil its new iPhone 16 series on September 9, 2024. The company will host a special event at Apple Park at 10 AM PT, which translates to 10:30 PM IST in India. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube and the Apple TV app. This year, Apple is expected to introduce four models in the iPhone 16 series: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple Vision Pro—The Introduction to Mixed-Reality Spatial Computing (2024)
Apple Vision Pro represents the latest product in Apple’s lineup, after Apple Watch in 2015. It is a mixed-reality headset launched exclusively in the US for $3,499 and comes with optical inserts for those who need vision correction. It runs on VisionOS, a brand new OS designed from the ground up for mixed reality by Apple. It blends your digital world with your physical space, allowing experiences never before possible, such as watching your favourite movies and shows on a larger-than-life display, having multiple virtual windows for your Mac to get more work done quickly, and offering a new kind of gaming experience.
Apple iPhone 12 Serie —The First to Bring 5G to the Masses, Apple Watch Series 6—Blood Oxygen Measuring Feature (2020)
Apple took its time bringing 5G to iPhones, and the iPhone 12 series, launched in September 2020, was the first lineup of phones to do it. Powered by the 5G-capable A14 Bionic chipset, the iPhone 12 series consisted of the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and the top-end iPhone 12 Pro Max (the first to bring sensor-shift stabilisation to iPhone).
Alongside the iPhone 12 series, Apple also released the Apple Watch Series 6, which introduced the Blood Oxygen measuring feature, proving handy during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the feature has now been banned in the US after a patent dispute with medical equipment maker Masimo.
MacBook Air M1—Introducing the World to Apple Silicon (2020)
Apple was making its own chipsets for its iPhones, but it had to rely on makers like Intel for chipsets for its Mac computers. In a major shift to ARM-based computing, Apple finally introduced the M1 chipset lineup in 2020, with the MacBook Air being the first laptop to feature the base M1 chipset, which many people still swear by. Currently, Apple has launched the latest M4, and there have been many versions of these chipsets so far: the M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, M2 Max, M2 Ultra, and more.
iPhone—Changed the World Forever in 2007
Apple’s major breakthrough came when Steve Jobs revealed the iPhone to the world in 2007, redefining smartphones globally. It has been the most successful product line for the company, and so far, Apple has sold more than 2.5 billion iPhones. According to a report by AltIndex, Apple made a whopping $1.65 trillion from iPhone sales in the last decade. More recently, Apple has doubled down on its efforts in emerging markets like India, with key investments and official stores, including Apple BKC and Apple Saket.
Several Other Key Announcements Paved the Way For Apple
Apple has been at the forefront of technology for a while now, alongside other major tech companies. Some of its other major announcements include the Macintosh in 1984, which brought the graphical user interface (GUI) to users. The iMac G3 in 1998 set new standards in design. The iPod, launched in 2001, changed portable music players forever.
In 2010, the iPad popularised tablet computing and introduced a new form factor for media consumption and work. The MacBook Air in 2008 set the trend for ultra-thin laptops. The Apple Watch, introduced in 2015, marked Apple's entry into wearable technology, while AirPods in 2016 became iconic wireless earbuds.
Apple is One of the Few Companies in the Trillion Dollar Club
Apple was the first company in the world to hit the three trillion dollar market cap in June 2023, with Microsoft, Saudi Aramco, Google, and Nvidia trailing. In 2024, it continues to maintain its market cap, currently sitting at around $3.3 trillion, often trading places with Microsoft and Nvidia for the top spot.
The company is currently headed by CEO Tim Cook, who took charge in 2011 after the passing of Steve Jobs. Tim Cook has overseen the launch of widely successful products, including Apple AirPods, the Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple Vision Pro, Apple TV+, and a host of other services as well.
Apple’s Current Product Lineup
Mac - Includes iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro computers.
iPhone - Apple's line of smartphones, featuring the iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and the third-generation iPhone SE.
iPad - Apple's line of tablets, including the OLED iPad Pro, iPad Air 6th gen, iPad mini 6th gen, and iPad 10th gen.
Apple Watch - Apple's wearable device focused on health and fitness, with models such as Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch SE2.
AirPods - Apple's wireless earbuds, available as AirPods Pro (2nd gen), AirPods 3rd gen, AirPods Max, and AirPods 2nd gen.
Apple TV and HomePod - Includes Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, and HomePod.
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