We learn today that Apple is on the verge of becoming the most valuable company in the world, breathtaking new profits, billions of dollars pouring in, and so we ask tonight: what's the secret? Can other companies follow Apple's lead? ABC's N C has been to Apple so many times before:
There is the economy that we all live in and breathe: stagnant growth and lingering unemployment and then there is Apple.
"Apple,I mean,earnings solidly beat expectations.
"Apple came out with a gangbuster number late yesterday."
"They have done it again!"
The tech giant's success this week defies normal economics. Consider this: the iPad, a form of device that never existed has been adopted by consumers faster than other new technology. Already in 16% of households in just over a year, by comparison, it took the cellphone nine years to reach that point. The color TV also took nine years.
"Apple has caught a wave for the past decade of inventing and reinventing things that people really, really want."
Listen to what Steve Jobs told me after unveiling the first iPhone just four years ago:
"It's very clear to us that the world is going mobile."
Little did we know he was already working on the iPad which has sense-bound imitators even counterfeiters. Look at this fake Apple store in China? All rip-offs. It was Apple's success, a whole new economy in apps, developers have reaped in $2.5 billion.
"It started entire new companies who in turn become very successful making money for themselves."
Unlike traditional companies which sell products people like, Apple has managed to do something unique: to sell things people love, and change the way we live in the process.
N.C ABC News,Seattle.
