The tech world was abuzz 28 years ago when the iconic Steve Jobs made a triumphant return to Apple Inc., the company he co-founded in 1976. Despite the company’s topsy-turvy journey and a bout of near bankruptcy, the iPhone giant has surged ahead to become the world’s second-largest company by market capitalization today.
Jobs’ second stint at Apple was marked by monumental successes, including the acquisition of NeXT and the subsequent launch of groundbreaking products, setting the stage for an epic market uptrend.
A New Era: Apple 2.0
When Jobs was reinstated in 1997, his leadership breathed new life into the company, steering it out of turmoil and into an era marked by technological innovation.
Jobs’ prowess was on full display as Apple witnessed the launch of a series of industry-defining products, signaling a resurgence that transcended mere corporate revival.
The visionary behind the Apple I, Apple II, Macintosh, iPod, iTunes, MacBook, iPhone, and iPad, Jobs’ extraordinary flair for inventive execution catapulted Apple to the forefront of a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Laser-focused Visionaries
Aside from his shrewd execution, Jobs was revered for his visionary approach. His iconic quote, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future,” continues to resonate, encapsulating his singular ability to look beyond the present.
The Next Big Leap
Fast forward to the present, Apple is once again at the cusp of a history-making milestone with the highly-anticipated Apple Vision Pro.
Despite its lofty $3500 price tag, Apple’s foray into the mixed reality headset market has ignited fervent anticipation, earning plaudits from insiders like Tim Cook, the successor to Jobs’ legacy. Cook hailed the headset’s technology as “mind-blowing,” tipping it to redefine content consumption in three dimensions.
Initial sales figures are promising with between 160,000 to 180,000 Vision Pro units already sold, and analysts forecasting Apple could sell 600,000 units by the end of 2024. All eyes are on Cupertino to see if they surpass these gargantuan expectations.