Businessweek

Apple Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players. The company also sells various related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Business strategy The company’s business strategy utilizes its ability to design and develop its own operating systems, hardware, application software, and services to provide its customers new products and solutions with integration and innovative design. The company supports a community for the development of third-party software and hardware products and digital content that complement its offerings. The company’s strategy also includes expanding its distribution network to reach customers and provide them with a sales and post-sales support experience. Products The company offers a range of mobile communication and media devices, personal computing products, and portable digital music players, as well as various related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions and third-party hardware and software products. In addition, the company offers its own software products, including iOS, its mobile operating system; OS X, its Mac operating system; and server and application software. The company’s products and services include iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the iOS and OS X operating systems, iCloud, and various accessory, service and support offerings. The company also sells and delivers digital content and applications through the iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store. iPhone iPhone combines a mobile phone, an iPod, and an Internet communications device in a single handheld product. Based on the company’s Multi-Touch user interface, iPhone features desktop-class email, Web browsing, searching, and maps and is compatible with both Mac and Windows-based computers. iPhone automatically syncs content from users’ iTunes libraries, as well as contacts, bookmarks, and email accounts. iPhone allows customers to access the iTunes Store to download audio and video files, as well as various other digital content and applications. In September 2012, the company launched iPhone 5, its latest version of iPhone. In addition to the company’s own iPhone accessories, third-party iPhone compatible accessories are available through its online and retail stores and from third parties. iPad iPad is a multi-purpose mobile device for browsing the Web, reading and sending email, viewing photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and more. iPad is based on the company’s Multi-Touch technology and allows customers to connect with their applications and content in an interactive way. iPad allows customers to access the iTunes Store to download audio and video files, as well as various other digital content and applications. In March 2012, the company launched the new iPad, its third generation iPad, and in October 2012, the company announced its fourth generation iPad and iPad mini, which are expected to be available in November 2012. In addition to the company’s own iPad accessories, third-party iPad compatible accessories are available through its online and retail stores and from third parties. Mac The company offers a range of personal computing products, including desktop and portable computers, related devices and peripherals, and third-party hardware products. The company’s Mac desktop and portable systems feature Intel microprocessors, the OS X operating system and the iLife suite of software for creation and management of digital photography, music, movies, DVDs, and Websites. The company’s desktop computers include iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac mini. The company’s portable computers include MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. iPod The company’s iPod line of portable digital music and media players includes iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and iPod classic. All iPods work with iTunes. In addition to the company’s own iPod accessories, third-party iPod-compatible accessories are availa