Ondrej Holzman The year 2013 brought several expected and several unexpected events. We've seen new products, we've seen Apple's debt and a big discussion about taxes. What was the most important thing that happened in the first half of the year just ending?
Apple shares are at a 9-month low (January)
The new year isn't off to a good start for Apple, with its shares at their lowest value in nine months in mid-January. From a high of over $700, they fall well below $500.
Shareholders rejected the proposals. Cook talked about stocks as well as growth (February)
At the annual meeting of shareholders, Tim Cook is almost unanimously supported at the head of Apple, who subsequently indicates which direction the Californian company could take next. "We're obviously looking at new areas - we're not talking about them, but we're watching them," he reveals very bluntly.
Apple is strengthening its map division. He bought WifiSLAM (March)
Apple takes out $20 million from the coffers, because it buys WifiSLAM and clearly shows that it is really serious about its Maps.
Apple shares continue to fall (April)
There is no more positive news coming from the stock market. The price of one Apple share falls below the $400 mark...
Tim Cook: New products will be in the fall and next year (April)
Speaking to shareholders after the announcement financial results is Tim Cook being secretive again, but reporting, "We have some really great products coming in the fall and throughout 2014." Speculation is running high.
Apple goes into debt for investor refund program (May)
Although it has 145 billion dollars in its accounts, the apple company announces that it will issue bonds with a record value of 17 billion dollars. Reasons? An increase in the program for returning money to shareholders, an increase in funds for the repurchase of shares and an increase in the quarterly dividend.
50 billion App Store downloads (May)
There's another milestone for them to celebrate in Cupertino. 50 billion apps have just been downloaded from the App Store. A respectable number.
Tim Cook: We don't cheat on taxes. We pay every dollar we owe (May)
In front of the US Senate, Tim Cook strongly defends Apple's tax policy, which is not to the taste of some politicians. He denies accusations of evading tax systems, saying that his company only uses loopholes in the laws. That's why Cook calls for tax reform, even if it costs Apple higher taxes.
The beasts end. Apple showed the new OS X Mavericks (June)
WWDC is here and Apple is finally introducing new products for the first time in 2013. First, Apple does away with cats in the names of its computer operating systems and introduces OS X Mavericks.
The biggest change in iOS history is called iOS 7 (June)
The most discussed and fundamental change concerns iOS. iOS 7 is undergoing a major revolution and for the first time since its inception, it is changing its appearance significantly. Apple is cursed by some, others welcome the change. However, the first few days after the introduction of iOS 7 are wild. No one knew in advance what Apple would come up with.
Apple showed the future. New Mac Pro (June)
Unexpectedly, Apple also shows a product that many users have been waiting for for several years - the new Mac Pro. He too undergoes a revolutionary transformation, becoming a miniature black cylindrical computer. However, it should not be available until the end of the year.
The new MacBook Airs bring significantly higher durability (June)
MacBook Airs are the first Apple computers to get the new Intel Haswell processors, and their presence is clearly felt - the new MacBook Airs last up to nine or twelve hours without the need to use a charger.
