What Were Some of Apple's Biggest Successes and Failures?

Case Analysis 1 - Apple Computer

1. What were some of Apple's biggest successes and failures? Describe why.

Adapting to the convenience that Apple invented when they came out with the click wheel was just one of their successes. This is what opened the path to the tapping and swiping of the touchscreen. With the IPod, users were able to filter their music in only a few clicks. Another success for Apple was not falling into the hands of Microsoft, in terms of beating out their competition. Whatever Apple came out with, Microsoft tried to duplicate the innovated products under their brand and their way. The reason why Apple survives with a clear exception to Microsoft is because they don't try to do things similar to other competitors. They have their own footprint. Image management has helped Apple succeed in a different way than others in the innovation world. They don't focus on the specifications of a product as much as they make the product itself very appealing to its customer base. When we go to purchase a Windows machine, we look at the RAM, size of the hard drive, and what software is pre-installed. With a Mac, we are mainly focused on the design of the machine. I, myself considers Mac to be a different 'beast' when it comes to computer systems. You automatically know that you don't have to worry about security issues, so that's a plus from getting a Windows machine that is going to offer a 30-day trial or 1 yr. of free anti-virus software that you would eventually have to purchase if you want to keep it. In 2003, iTunes blew up with the music industry. Instead of having to go to a local music store, Wal-Mart, or BestBuy to purchase music, it was now available online. Once the popularity on music skyrocketed, they brought in the movies. Here's the kicker to Apple; prior to 1997 when Jobs left, revenue started plummeting. They had lost $1 billion out of $ billion $7 billion in revenue but when he returned as an "Interim CEO", the net profit of the company soared over $14 billion. The trading market went from $4 to a remarkable $370 per share.

Speaking of failures, sometimes the one thing can bring success can also give you a headache. Design was a success and also a failure. Some of the products introduced by Apple did not layover. In 1998, they came out with a USB mouse. From the sounds of it, the mouse was not user-friendly. Another instance of failure under design was the Power Mac G4 Cube. There was a risk of it already being cracked or not very useful. One of the biggest failures of Apple was with the control that Jobs had over the way the company ran and did things. He was not a very open person to new ideas unless it was his way. This is one of the biggest reasons that pushed more people over to the world of Android. The Apple guru, Jobs, had a problem with people doing things that he did not approve