an influential manufacturer of personal computers and entertainment equipment. (Web address: www.apple.com.) The company, located in Cupertino, California, was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who began work in a garage. The Apple II, introduced in 1977, was one of the earliest popular microcomputers. It was based on the 8-bit MOS technology 6502 microprocessor. The Apple II was widely used in educational institutions, and the first microcomputer spreadsheet program (VisiCalc) ran on the Apple II. In 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh, which was the first widely used computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The Macintosh became widely used for desktop publishing and artistic applications, and it became one of the two main standards for microcomputers. Apple produces both the hardware and the operating system software for the Macintosh (unlikeWindows-based computers, the other main standard). (See Macintosh). Apple also produces the Quick Time software for playing audio and video on microcomputers, now used onWindows computers as well as the Macintosh.
A recent big seller has been the iPod line of digital music players and numerous accessories. In 2003 Apple introduced the iTunes music store, allowing users to legally download songs for 99 cents each.
