Steve Jobs co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak back in 1976, and revolutionized consumer technology between 1976 to 1985. Everything has been said about that stretch of time, but Jobs returned back to Apple in 1996 when Apple bought his company, NeXT. Steve Jobs became interim CEO in 1997, and officially dropped the interim title in 2000. Steve Jobs resigned from that position yesterday, August 24th, 2011, and now it’s time to look back at Steve Jobs second tenure at Apple, Inc from 1996-2011.
Steve Jobs oversaw many ground breaking advancements during that time with almost all proving to be great successes’, and a part of many people’s lives today.
1997
Apple unveils the online Apple Store with new build-to-order options, based upon the WebObjects application server from NeXT.
Apple announces partnership with Microsoft to with Microsoft Office for Mac, Internet Explorer as default browser for Mac, and $150 million investment from Microsoft.
1998
Apple introduces the iMac.
Apple purchases Macromedia’s Final Cut software.
1999
Apple introduces the Power Mac G4
Apple releases iMovie for consumers and Final Cut Pro for professionals.
2000
Apple introduces the G4 Cube to low sales.
The company cuts prices across the board on all Mac lines
Apple shipped all Macs DVD-Rom drives instead of CD-RW drives.
Apple introduces iTools web service.
2001
Apple introduces the their first portable digital audio player, the iPod with 5GB storage.
Apple releases the first version of the flagship operating system, Mac OS X (Cheetah). Later that year, 10.1 Puma was released as a free upgrade.
Apple opens its first retail stores in Tysons Corner Virginian and Glendale California.
Apple introduces the SuperDrive for DVD and CD read/write capability.
2002
The second generation iPod is released with 10 & 20GB storage plus touch sensitive wheel.
New iMac is released with the G4 processor.
Apple purchases Emagic for their music productivity application Logic, which leads to the release of Garageband in 2004.
Apple also releases iPhoto, but the iLife suite doesn’t begin until the following year.
Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar is released.
.Mac is introduced.
2003
Apple unveils the iTunes music store with $0.99 songs for integration with the iPod.
The iLife suite with iMovie, iPhoto, and Garageband is introduced, and ships with new macs.
Apple unveils the Power Mac G5.
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther is released.
The third generation iPod is released with 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 GB with complete redesign.
First international Apple store opened in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
2004
Apple releases the first iPod Mini with 5 colors, 4GB storage.
The fourth generation iPod is released with new color display for iPod Photo.
The iLife ’04 suite is released.
2005
Video is added to the iTunes store.
First iPod Shuffle is unveiled.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger is released.
G5 iMac is released.
The second generation iPod Mini is released in February with the first iPod Nano released in September to replace the Mini.
The fifth generation iPod is introduced with 30, 60, or 80 GB.
The iLife ’05 suite is released.
2006
Apple switches to Intel with the new MacBook Pro and iMac the first Macs to use Intel’s Core Duo CPU. Later that year, the Power Mac, iBook, andPowerBook were replaced by the Mac Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Pro.
iTunes Music Store sold its 1 billionth song.
The second generation iPod Nano is released with 6 colors.
The second generation iPod Shuffle is released with up to 2GB, and small clip design.
The iLife ’06 suite is released to include iTunes and just announced iWeb.
2007
Apple unveils the iPhone, a new multi-touch take on the smartphone.
Apple releases the first iPod Touch. The first iPod with a multi-touch screen, Wi-Fi, Safari, YouTube, and other Apple apps. Access to iOS 2.0 with the app Store requires upgrade fee.
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is released.
Apple releases the first Apple TV.
The iLife ’08 suite is released with a simpler iMovie interface.
The third generation iPod Nano is released with new 2” screen, video capability, and wider and shorter body.
The first iPod with ‘Classic’ suffix is introduced with 80, 120, or 160 GB.
2008
Apple releases the iPhone 3G with 3G data connections and access to the App Store.
The App Store is unveiled as part of iOS 2.0 for the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2nd gen.
Apple releases the second generation iPod Touch with App Store access built-in.
The first MacBook Air is introduced which is an expensive ultra-thin laptop without much computing power. Later in the year the second MacBook Air is released with a 1.86 GHz option.
The fourth generation iPod Nano is released going back to tall form factor with all aluminum enclosure.
MobileMe released as Apple’s first entry into cloud software.
2009
Apple releases the iPhone 3GS with speedier internals, and video camera.
Apple releases the third generation iPod Touch with faster internals similar to the iPhone 3GS.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is released.
The third MacBook Air is unveiled with 1.86 GHz as the base model, and a new 2.13 GHz option, but price points remain extreme.
The iLife ’09 suite is released with new versions of each of the main apps.
The fifth generation iPod Nano is released with video camera and larger screen.
The third generation iPod Shuffle is released with up to 4GB, new design with controls on earbud cable.
2010
Apple unveils the iPad, a whole new way to define the tablet. The device comes with a 9.7” multi-touch display with access to data networks, and 10 hour battery life.
Apple releases the iPhone 4 with Apple’s A4 chip, retina display, front facing camera, gyroscope, and all new glass design. Also, iOS 4 is released with multi-tasking, FaceTime, Game Center, and more.
Apple releases the fourth generation iPod Touch with thinner design, retina display, front and back video cameras, and Apple’s A4 chip.
Apple releases a redesigned MacBook Air with a new 11.6” model. The computer drops in price starting at $999.
Apple releases the second Apple TV that is a fourth of the size, and viewed as more of a “hobby”.
Apple launches iBookstore.
The iLife ’11 suite is released without Power PC support.
The sixth generation iPod Nano is released with no scroll wheel for first time.
The fourth generation iPod Shuffle with controls returning to body, and the click wheel is the full size of the device.
2011
Apple releases the iPad 2 which is thinner, faster, and lighter than it predecessor. The iPad 2 comes with the dual core A5 chip, front and rear cameras, a 33% thinner design, and Smart Cover accessory.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is released.
Apple unveils new Lion powered MacBook Airs with huge gains in performance while maintaining the low end $999 price on the 11.6” ultra-thin laptop.
Apple releases the iPhone 4 on Verizon, and a white model.
Apple unveils iCloud and iOS 5 which are scheduled to launch in the fall.
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