Apple Inc.

Apple, Inc., previously Apple Computer, Inc. is a computer and electronics manufacturer headquartered in Cupertino, California, United States.

Founded in 1976 by partners Steve Jobs, Steve Wosniak, and Ron Wayne after failed attempts to market a hobby computer to other larger firms, Apple grew out of a small garage in what is today known as the Silicon Valley. Together, they designed the first commercially successful microcomputer board known as the Apple I.

From this starting point, Apple became one of the fastest-growing computer companies in the US, and would go on to develop the Apple II, Lisa, Apple III, and Macintosh lines of personal computers. The Macintosh line holds the distinction of using the world's first commercially successful graphical user interface (GUI).

Although Apple's computers were highly acclaimed during the 1980s and early 1990s, internal disagreements between its key players and an unbounded desire to expand into less profitable ventures nearly brought the company to bankruptcy in 1997. Steve Jobs, who had been forced out during this period and founded Pixar Animation and NeXT, Inc., would ultimately be called back into Apple to turn its fortunes around, becoming its CEO again in 1998.

In Jobs' second tenure, Apple developed consumer-focused (though not always successful) products, ranging from the first iMacs to iPods to the iPhones and iPads of today. Apple's products are recognized worldwide for their minimalist design and ease of use.

Apple's mobile operating system, iOS, powers the majority of its smart devices, and remains in tight competition with Android for user share among devices.