To say that 2011 has been a big year for Apple would be a remarkable understatement. The company has had its fair share of product releases, lawsuits, controversies, gains and losses this year, and has experienced quite a roller coaster of ups and downs.
We’ll take a look back through the year month-by-month, highlighting a few of the most significant events for Apple in 2011 as we go along.
January
- Apple surpasses all-time high market cap of $300 billion.
- The Mac App Store comes to OS X, sees 1 million downloads on its first day.
- App Store reaches milestone of 10 billion apps downloaded.
- Verizon becomes the second official U.S. carrier to offer the iPhone, ending AT&T’s exclusivity.
- Steve Jobs was announced to be taking another medical leave of absence.
- Apple’s reports record earnings for its financial first quarter.
February
- The Verizon iPhone is officially launched, and quickly sells out of pre-orders.
- Apple launches iTunes subscriptions for magazines and newspapers.
- New MacBook Pros released with Intel and Apple’s new Thunderbolt IO technology.
- First developer preview released for OS X Lion.
- iPad 2 event confirmed to be held during March.
March
- Apple announces the iPad 2 and shows off iOS 4.3.
- As many as 500,000 iPad 2s were sold during its launch weekend.
April
- Apple faces “LocationGate” controversy over the iPhone’s tracking of user location data.
- More record-breaking financial reports are announced.
- The White iPhone 4 finally hits retail shelves after nearly a year of waiting.
May
- Refreshed iMacs released, with an HD camera and Thunderbolt support.
- iPad 2 sells out in Beijing in only four hours.
- Apple releases iWork productivity apps for iPhone.
- 2011 Worldwide Developer Conference announced, with an appearance from Steve Jobs.
June
- OS X Lion, iOS 5, iCloud and Final Cut Pro X unveiled by Steve Jobs at Worldwide Developer Conference
- Steve Jobs gains approval from Cupertino City Council for new “Mothership” Apple campus – expected to be the largest office building in the world!
July
- Mac OS X Lion is released as a Mac App Store exclusive, one million copies sold within 24 hours.
- App Store reaches 15 billion downloads.
- Apple posts record revenues in Q3 earnings report, reaches $75 billion in cash reserves.
- New MacBook Airs are released, and Lion Internet Recovery is introduced.
- Mac Mini loses its optical drive, gains Thunderbolt and new processors.
- 27″ Thunderbolt Display is released.
- White polycarbonate MacBook is discontinued.
August
- iCloud goes into Beta.
- Apple releases first update for OS X Lion.
- Steve Jobs announces his resignation as CEO, Tim Cook is announced as his successor.
September
- Apple announces an iPhone event for early October. Rumors of a redesigned iPhone 5 remain in full swing.
October
- Apple announces the iPhone 4S and Siri.
- iOS 5 is released alongside Apple’s new iCloud service.
- Sprint becomes the third U.S. carrier to offer the iPhone.
- iPod nano and iPod touch get a slight refresh.
- iPhone 4S breaks all-time sales records at both Apple and wireless carriers.
- Steve Jobs passes away on October 5th, Apple turns their homepage into a tribute, and fans and customers turn Apple Stores into makeshift shrines.
November
- GarageBand comes to the iPhone and iPod touch.
- Apple faces lingering battery drain issues with the iPhone 4S and iOS 5.
- Art Levinson names as Apple’s new chairman of the board. Disney’s Bib Iger joins the board.
December
- Apple opens its largest retail store ever at New York’s Grand Central Terminal.
- Mac App Store reaches 100 million downloads.
The Future
With rumors of ultra-thin Retina MacBook Pros, a faster iPad 3 with a Retina display, a redesigned iPhone 5, the possibility of a Siri-enabled Apple television, and a consistently loyal base of customers, 2012 promises to be an extremely exciting year for Apple.
Only the future can tell us what excitement is in store, but we’re optimistic that 2012 could be Apple’s best year ever, and we’ll be there every step of the way to let you know what happens as the excitement unfolds.
Here’s to a happy and prosperous new year not only for Apple, but for all of you as well!
