Top Companies & Brands Owned by Apple | Stash Learn
Top Companies & Brands Owned by Apple
By: Team Stash
Published: Oct 13, 2017
• Updated: Aug 22, 2024
In this article:
Apple is one of the most valuable and iconic companies in the world, with more than $200 billion in total revenue in 2016. Since its founding 40 years ago, it has created more profit for its shareholders than any other American company in U.S. trading history.
Roughly half of all U.S. households reportedly own at least one Apple product, as of 2012. An estimated 700 billion iPhones are in use worldwide.
Apple has achieved scale and success primarily through its unique ecosystem, which includes interconnected hardware, software, and services that speak the same language while complementing each other with distinct features.
In fact, if you own American Innovators, an investment available on Stash, you are the owner of a very small fraction of an Apple investment and the companies included in this ETF.
Here are some of Apple’s most popular products and services:
Hardware division
Macintosh
Macintosh is Apple’s line of desktops and personal computers. Company founder Steve Jobs first introduced the Macintosh in 1984.
iPhone
In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone, which dramatically changed the way consumers communicate, gather and share information. It has become the company’s most successful product, with 1.2 billion iPhones sold globally. The iPhone is Apple’s largest source of revenue, accounting for nearly two-thirds of Apple’s sales for its fiscal year 2016. Its latest version, the iPhone X, will use artificial intelligence for facial recognition.
iPad
Apple’s iPad, introduced in 2010, revolutionized the computer tablet market. By 2011, Apple sold more than 300,000 units each day, making the iPad the fastest-selling consumer electronics device in history.
Apple Watch
Apple launched the Apple Watch in 2014, as Apple’s first venture into wearable technology. It is now the top-selling watch in the world, surpassing companies like Rolex, Seiko, and Samsung.
Software and software platforms
iOS
Apple’s iOS operating system is the software platform for all of its multi-touch devices, including its iPhone and iPad, while Macintosh computers all run on the macOS. An estimated 99% of Fortune 500 companies use macOS and iOS on their networks.
WatchOS
WatchOS is the operating system for Apple Watch, while Apple TV uses tvOS. TvOS allows developers to create new games and apps for Apple TV.
iMessage
iMessage is Apple’s application that allows users to send text, documents, pictures, videos, and group messages through Wi-Fi or mobile internet access. Apple reportedly delivers 28,000 messages to users every second.
iLife
iLife is Apple’s creativity suite for Mac computers. It includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb.
iWork
iWork is Mac’s productivity suite, including documents, spreadsheets, and business presentation apps. These products are free.
Services
Apple Pay
The company launched Apple Pay in 2014, allowing consumers to make purchases using a digital wallet embedded in Apple mobile devices. Its newest upgrade allows customers to send and receive money through Apple’s messaging application.
iTunes
iTunes is Apple’s media player for music, video, and movies, providing access to a catalog of 40 million songs to listen or download.
iCloud
iCloud enables users to access their documents, photos, videos, music, and other data across all of their Apple devices.
Apple TV
Apple TV is the company’s video streaming device, allowing users to stream shows and movies from popular service providers.
Apple Care
Apple Care is the company’s warranty protection service, offering software and technical support on Apple hardware and applications.
Recently acquired business divisions
Beats Electronic
Apple acquired Beats Electronic for $3 billion in 2014.
SensoMotoric
In 2017, Apple bought German eye-tracking technology company SensoMotoric for an undisclosed sum, focusing on virtual and augmented reality applications.