Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicked off Monday, June 5, where the company makes a big production of its new products. Will this year’s launches change technology forever? Here are Apple’s biggest innovations throughout its history in this week’s Five For Friday.
#5: Vision Pro
The Apple Vision Pro will be one of the priciest headsets on the market at $3,499 when it goes to market in 2024. It’s leaning heavily on augmented reality over virtual reality.
The device, which resembles ski goggles, can be controlled with the user’s eyes, hands and voice. Apple said it will also be compatible with a number of bluetooth devices for those that prefer a more traditional input method.
With the large price tag and its presentation, Apple appears to be pushing it to business users, but it did show off some of its entertainment offerings, including a partnership with Disney+.
#4: AirPods
Before Apple’s AirPods, truly wireless earbuds were few and far between and the products that were on the market were plagued with battery life, connectivity and sound issues.
When Apple finally released the AirPods in 2016, they seamlessly connected to other Apple devices and had a charging dock small enough to fit in your pocket. After it bought Beats by Dre, Apple became the leading headphone maker in the U.S., despite concerns that AirPods would fall out of ears.
#3: iPod
Until the release of the iPod in 2001, carrying around your music collection meant lugging books of CDs or boxes of tapes. Apple’s iPod ushered in the digital marketplace era of iTunes, which is now a one-stop shop for entertainment.
True to Apple form, the iPod had multiple models, including the Shuffle, Nano and Touch. Apple also had some of the most iconic commercials that featured music that defined the early 2000s.
Apple stopped making the iPod last year, but by that time, it was just a less functional version of No. 2 on this week’s list.
#2: iPhone
It feels like a lifetime ago when BlackBerry was on top of the smartphone game. Without the iPhone’s 2007 launch, people would probably still be typing with buttons instead of a multitouch display.
Iterating on the iPod’s battery life and storage capacity made the iPhone an immediate success. It also allowed Apple to eventually introduce the world to Siri, which brought on a whole new world of AI personal assistants.
Apple continues to add features in its annual models, including multiple cameras on the device. But while Android still has more users worldwide, having green text bubbles can get you kicked out of a group chat.
#1: Macintosh
Apple II was one of the first successful microcomputers on the market, but it was the Macintosh that changed the personal computer landscape forever.
Taking features from the failed LISA (and slashing the price), Apple’s Macintosh had a mouse-driven graphical user interface. The company launched the innovation with a Ridley Scott-directed 1984 Super Bowl commercial, which is an all-time great. And the product itself was so innovative Apple filed a lawsuit against rival Microsoft for taking too much inspiration from MacOS for Windows.
Microsoft ended up having a highly lucrative decade but Apple got its groove back with the iMac in the late ’90s. Remember all of the color options? Now Apple’s Mac lineup is a trendsetter every year.
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