2011–present: Restructuring and Apple Watch

201110/2020View on timeline
Timeline of Apple Inc. products

On March 2, 2011, Apple unveiled the iPad's second-generation model, the iPad 2. Like the 4th generation iPod Touch and iPhone, the iPad 2 comes with a front-facing camera as well as a rear-facing camera, along with three new apps that utilize these new features: Camera, FaceTime, and Photo Booth.

On August 24, 2011, Steve Jobs resigned from his position as CEO with Tim Cook taking his place. On October 29, 2012, Apple announced structural changes to increase collaboration between hardware, software, and services. This involved the departure of Scott Forstall, responsible for the launch of iOS (iPhone OS at the time of launch), who was replaced with Craig Federighi as head of iOS and OS X teams. Jony Ive became head of HI (Human Interface), whilst Eddy Cue was announced as head of online services including Siri and Maps. The most notable short term difference of this restructuring was the launch of iOS 7, the first version of the operating system to use a drastically different design to its predecessors, headed by Jony Ive., followed by OS X Yosemite a year later with a similar design.

During this time, Apple released the iPhone 5, the first iPhone to have a screen larger than 3.5", the iPod Touch 5, also with a 4" screen, the iPhone 5S with fingerprint scanning technology in the form of Touch ID, and iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, with screens at 4.7" and 5.5". They released the iPad 3rd generation with Retina Display, followed by the iPad (4th generation) just half a year later. The iPad Mini was announced alongside the iPad 4th gen, and was the first to feature a smaller screen than 9.7". This was followed by the iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display in 2013, alongside the iPad Air, a continuation of the original 9.7" range of iPads, which was subsequently followed by the iPad Air 2 with Touch ID in 2014. Apple also released various major Mac updates, including the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, whilst also discontinuing the original MacBook range for a short period, before reintroducing it in 2015 with various new features, a Retina Display and a new design that implemented USB-C, while removing all other ports. Apple also updated the Mac Pro and iMac lines with a drastically different smaller/thinner, but more powerful designs.

On November 25, 2013, Apple acquired a company called PrimeSense. On May 28, 2014, Apple acquired Beats Electronics, producers of the popular Beats by Dre headphone and speaker range, as well as streaming service Beats Music.

On September 9, 2014, Apple announced the Apple Watch, the first new product range since the departure of Steve Jobs. The product cannot function beyond basic features without being within Bluetooth or WiFi range to an iPhone and contains basic applications (many acting as a remote for other devices, such as a music remote, or a control for an Apple TV) and fitness tracking. The Apple Watch received mixed reviews, with critics suggesting that whilst the device showed promise, it lacked a clear purpose, similar to many of the devices already on the market. The Apple Watch was released on April 24, 2015.

On September 9, 2015, Apple announced the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus with 3D Touch, the iPad Pro, and the fourth-generation Apple TV, along with the fourth-generation iPad Mini. On March 21, 2016, Apple announced the first-generation iPhone SE and the smaller iPad Pro.

On September 7, 2016, Apple announced the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus with an improved camera and a faster processor than the previous generation. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have high storage options. On October 27, 2016, Apple announced the new 13 and 15 inch Macbook Pro with a retina Touch Bar. On March 21, 2017, Apple announced the iPad (2017). This is the iPad Air 2 successor, equipped with a faster processor, and starts at $329. Apple also announced the (Product)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

On June 5, 2017, Apple announced iOS 11 as well as new versions of macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Apple also released updated versions of the iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook. Apple also released the new 10.5 and 12.9 inch iPad Pro. Apple also released a Siri speaker similar to the Amazon Echo called HomePod.

On September 12, 2017, at the Steve Jobs Theater, Apple introduced the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus with better camera features, more improvements in product design, user experience, performance and more, and announced the iPhone X with facial recognition technology and wireless charging. Apple also announced the 4K Apple TV with 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision experience, and the Apple Watch Series 3, supporting a cellular connection, running watchOS 4.

On September 12, 2018, at the Steve Jobs Theater, Apple introduced the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, running iOS 12, with improved facial recognition and HDR in the display as well as better cameras for all 3 phones. They also announced the Apple Watch Series 4, running watchOS 5, with an all-new design and larger display as well as many more health-related features.

In 2018, Bloomberg News reported that, as early as 2015, a specialized unit of China's People's Liberation Army began inserting chips into Supermicro servers that allowed for backdoor access to them. Approximately 30 companies reportedly had their servers compromised via the chips, including Apple Inc.

On September 20, 2019, Apple introduced the IPhone 11, IPhone 11 Pro, and IPhone 11 Pro Max were released. The iPhone 11 Pro is also the first iPhone to feature three cameras.

0 comments

Comment
No comments avaliable.

Author

Info

Published in 21/10/2020

Updated in 19/02/2021

All events in the topic History of Apple:


197519851975–1985: Jobs and Wozniak1975–1985: Jobs and Wozniak
199720011997–2001: Apple's comeback1997–2001: Apple's comeback