# Top Companies & Brands Owned by Apple By: [Team Stash](/content/learn/author/team-stash/index.html) Published: Oct 13, 2017 •  Updated: Aug 22, 2024 #### In this article: 1. [**Hardware division**](/content/learn/companies-brands-owned-apple/#hardware-division/index.html) 2. [**Software and software platforms**](/content/learn/companies-brands-owned-apple/#software-and-software-platforms/index.html) 3. [**Services**](/content/learn/companies-brands-owned-apple/#services/index.html) 4. [**Recently acquired business divisions**](/content/learn/companies-brands-owned-apple/#recently-acquired-business-divisions/index.html) 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](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/business/apple-investment.html) for its shareholders than any other American company in U.S. trading history. Roughly [half](https://www.cnbc.com/id/46857053) of all U.S. households reportedly own at least one Apple product, as of 2012. An estimated [700 billion iPhones](http://fortune.com/2017/03/06/apple-iphone-use-worldwide/) 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](/content/learn/investment-american-innovators/index.html), an investment available on Stash, you are the owner of a very small fraction of an [Apple investment](/content/investments/stocks/apple-aapl/index.html) 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](https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/24/5340320/the-mac-turns-30-a-visual-history) 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](https://www.statista.com/statistics/382260/segments-share-revenue-of-apple/) of revenue, accounting for nearly two-thirds of Apple’s [sales](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-iphone-rewired-apple-iphone8/) for its fiscal year 2016. Its latest version, the [iPhone X](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/12/apple-iphone-x-announced.html), 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](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/11511922/Apples-iPad-turns-5-a-brief-history.html), making the iPad the fastest-selling consumer electronics device in history. **Apple Watch** Apple [launched](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38IqQpwPe7s) the Apple Watch in 2014, as Apple’s first venture into wearable technology. It is now the [top-selling](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/12/apple-watch-is-now-the-number-one-watch-in-the-world.html) 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](https://www.apple.com/business/products-platform/) 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](https://www.macrumors.com/2014/02/28/apple-40-billion-imessages/). **iLife** iLife is Apple’s [creativity suite](https://www.apple.com/shop/question/answers/readonly/tag/mac/what-is-ilife/QUDFDKX224CF99DF7) 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](https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/18/apple-iwork-garageband-and-imovie-now-free-mac-ios/). ## 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](https://www.apple.com/itunes/) to listen or download. **iCloud** iCloud enables users to access their [documents](https://support.apple.com/kb/ph2608?locale=en_US), 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](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/09/apple-tv-4k-brings-home-the-magic-of-cinema-with-4k-and-hdr/) shows and movies from popular service providers. **Apple Care** Apple Care is the [company’s warranty protection service](https://www.apple.com/support/products/), offering software and technical support on Apple hardware and applications. ## Recently acquired business divisions **Beats Electronic** Apple [acquired](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/05/28Apple-to-Acquire-Beats-Music-Beats-Electronics/) 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.