Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, helping transform Apple into a global technology giant.
Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976. The company first became known for personal computers, including the Apple II and Macintosh. Its later growth came from combining hardware, software, and digital services into a closely integrated ecosystem.
The iPhone was announced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, and went on sale in the United States on June 29 that year. It combined a mobile phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator in one touchscreen device. The App Store followed in 2008, creating a major software distribution business.
Apple is often confused with Apple Records, the music label founded by the Beatles. They are separate organizations. Apple Inc. is also distinct from the fruit-related term “apple,” which has no connection to the company’s market valuation.