2012: The Year in Apple

Here we are, the end of another year, the new one just peeking over the horizon. The year 2012 was another busy one for Apple and its partners. Let’s take a look back at the year in Apple!

January

• The iMac accounted for 33% of all “all-in-one” PC sales – Of course the only other “all-in-ones” are basically iMac copies, so, shouldn’t they count for 100% of the market?
• Rumors of iPad 3 in March, “Much Improved” iPad 4 in October – “Take it with a grain of salt,” we said.
• Chaos reigned at the iPhone 4S launch in China – And the crowd goes wild!
• Apple kicks off 2012 at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, hosting an event focused on education – You can “make book” they were going to announce something big!
• Apple released iBooks 2 With Digital Textbook Support – Now iBooks were even better for use as digital textbooks. 3D animations, embedded Keynote presentations, intro movies, the ability to zoom in on high resolution images, thumbnail views for textbooks, and more.
• Apple releases iBooks Author – Hey, ya gotta have a tool to write all those cool textbooks with, right?
• Apple Reports All Time Record Financial Results for 2011 Holiday Quarter – We bought a lot of iOS devices and Macs to put under the tree last year.
• Apple Becomes Most Valuable Company in the World – We bought a lot of iOS devices and Mac all year long!
• The New York Times publishes a report on working conditions in Apple partner factories in China – The folks who were making those iOS devices and Macs might have been worked harder than they should have been?

February

• OS X Mountain Lion announced – Another big cat roars, this time with more iOS and iCloud integration than the previous version of OS X.

March

• Apple unveils not the “iPad 3,” but the “new iPad.” – Apple tires of keeping track, and they’re just calling it the “iPad.” Turns out it saves them money later in the year…
• Third-Generation iPad Launches – It has a Retina display and 4G LTE connectivity. It sold 3 million units in the first three days on the market.
• The FLA releases a report finding excessive overtime and unsafe working conditions. It recommended several changes to Foxconn’s policies and workflow, which Foxconn agreed to implement over 15 months.
• Apple introduces iPhoto for iOS – Now you don’t have to wait until you can get to your Mac to edit those candid shots.

April

• The Flashback Trojan was revealed – This shook Mac owners from their comfortable belief they were safe from viruses and trojans.
• Apple announces it nearly doubled its profits in the fiscal second quarter – Yup! We were still buying those iOS devices and Macs.

May

• First word of a new Maps app to come along with iOS 6 leaks out – That’s right, Siri will tell you where to go. We didn’t know then that she was directionally challenged.

June

• 15-in MacBook Pro With Retina Display released – I can see clearly now… (Oh come on! Someone had to say it!)
• iOS 6 unveiled – Mmmm… Maps!

July

• OS X Mountain Lion released – 3 Million downloads in 4 days. Say it with me, “$60 million!”
• Apple Settles “IPAD” Trademark Lawsuit – Settles with Proview for $60 million.

August

• Apple announces the YouTube app would no longer be a part of iOS as of version 6 – But where will we find kitten videos?
• Apple wins a landmark patent case against Samsung, awarded $1.05 billion – That’s a whole lot of iPads, whether it’s the original, or an amazing facsimile.

September

• iPhone 5 Launches – Taller, thinner, faster, and oh yeah… Lightning!
• iOS 6 released – Look! It has it’s own Maps app!
• Apple quickly sells 5 million iPhone 5’s – Apple employees promptly go to Subway for 5 dollar foot-longs.
• Google releases a standalone version of YouTube for iOS – The kitten videos, they’re back!
• Numerous problems are found with Apple’s new Maps app that debuted with iOS6 – Apple CEO Tim Cook issues a public apology. You don’t think anyone will get in trouble over this, right? Right?
• Apple announced redesigned versions of the iPod touch and iPod nano. The company also announced the updated iPod shuffle line with colors to match the new iPod nano colors.
• Apple announces they’re revamping iTunes as of version 11 – Redesigns are always met with open arms…

October

• iPad mini and Fourth-Generation iPad announced – OK, the mini we expected, but not the 4th-gen iPad… Especially when we bought the 3rd-gen iPad earlier this year!
• 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro released – Apple answers the age old question, “Just how many pixels can you squeeze into a 13-inch screen?” Turns out the answer is; “A bunch!”
• Fourth Generation iPad released – And the rumors about the 5th-gen release can now officially begin!
• New Slimmer iMacs announced – Slimmer, trimmer, and oh, so, sexy!
• Executive shakeup at Apple – Scott Forstall and John Browett are sent packing, with Jony Ive, Eddy Cue, and Craig Federighi all assuming significant, new responsibilities.

November

• iPad mini released – Good things do come in small packages.
• iTunes 11 debuts to mixed reviews – Where did my sidebar go?

December

• Google releases Google Maps for iOS – It immediately jumped to the top of the charts. Features like turn-by-turn directions, Street View, and well, accurate mapping data and directions certainly helped.

Well, that’s it for the year 2012. What will 2013 bring? Whatever the new year brings, you can be assured that MacTrast will be there to bring you the latest news and views.

It’s been a great year folks! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we have! Thanks for your patronage, and we hope you’ll keep checking in with us!

See you in 2013!