The Impact of Apple Devices on Society - Research Paper Example

The Impact of Apple Devices on Society Introduction In this era of globalization and industrialization, the demand for advanced technological products has boosted by leaps and bounds (Scribd, n.d.a). As a result, it has offered an opportunity for hardware and software manufacturing corporations such as Apple Inc. to flourish its market share and brand value at a rapid pace. It has also helped the electronics related industry to enhance its identity and brand portfolio in the market and society among other competitors. Consequently, it has facilitated in enlarging the sustainability and the competitive advantage of the constant technological innovation making companies like Apple (Apple & The Education Community, 2008). The objective of the paper is to present a brief introduction about Apple at the initial phase. Then, it also includes the introduction of varied inventive products Apple has presented to the society to satisfy changing demands and desires of the latter. Furthermore, it also comprises a detailed analysis of the impact of the products or devices of Apple on the society. Subsequently, it also includes certain recommendations to maintain the market value of Apple. Background Apple Inc is a renowned America-based multinational conglomerate operating in software as well as hardware industry. The head office of Apple is situated in Cupertino in the region of California. It was established in the year 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. It possesses in its assortment variety of products such as iPod, iTunes, iPhone, Apple TV, Mac accessories, and software to gratify customers’ desires. There are about 364 retail stores of Apple operating to present excellent products and /or services to its customers. In addition, the company employs approximately 60,400 employees across the globe to maintain its operations in an efficient way. The prime objective of Apple is to present varied inventive products to its customers with and /or services in order to satisfy their desires. This is mainly due to the belief that human beings are not the subordinates of systems or configurations but originators of changes (Scribd, n.d.b). With due regard to this fact, Apple has offered more attention to the facet of constant research and development to present various types of innovative products to the people. It facilitated Apple to expand its market share and profitability by a considerable extent. Moreover, it also improved the total sales of its products, thereby amplifying its supremacy in the market as portrayed in the figure below (Scribd, n.d.) [2] . Annual Revenue of Apple Source: (Seeking Alpha, 2011). The sales growth of the products of Apple is also shown in the below diagram, which reveals that the citizens across the globe highly prefer the products of Apple. In fact, the demand and the supremacy of the products of Apple amplified in recent years (Masi, 2009). Revenue of Apple by Products Source: (Macstories, n.d.). Analysis Apple is recognized as one of the most successful brands in software market across the globe. This is mainly due to its intention to develop and to offer inventive products and/or services to its customers (KEA European Affairs, 2009). Therefore, to cope up with alternating challenges of technology and customer requirements, Apple has introduced large number of products such as iPod, iPhone, iTunes, Apple TV, and Mac accessories, which proved quite valuable for the organization in the future era. Apple’s Mac Computers were identified to be the first user friendly computers. The computers were not only technologically sound but also easy to use and operate. These aspects certainly enabled Apple to be regarded by the citizens of the world as a favored brand. The invention of these products enhanced the brand equity and the fidelity of Apple due to high demand for them among the citizens of all age groups (Barrett & Werthhelmer, 2008). Moreover, the introduction of computer electronics along with digital technologies also created a revolutionary effect upon the individuals, which enhanced the position of Apple in the global perspective (Davilla, Epstein, & Shelton, 2005). Thus, the impact of the above mentioned products upon the society can be evaluated with the help of SWOT analysis. SWOT Analysis of iPod Strengths Apple is a renowned and flourishing innovative brand, which amplified to a significant extent due to the introduction of iPod. IPod is a Wi-Fi device having inventive technology and is liked and highly appreciated by the citizens globally, which has enabled to enhance the perception of the brand (Grasser, Bambauer, Harlow, Hoffman, Hwang, Krog, Mohr, Reidel, Slater, Wilson, & Palfrey, 2010). Moreover, the young generation has become highly passionate about iPod due to its slim structure, light weight, touch screen, and amazing design that have facilitated to enlarge its total sales. In addition, the high quality of battery of iPod is also another significant factor which improved the value proposition of Apple in the society (Scribd, n.d.a) as shown by the figure. Total Sales of iPods in Recent Times Source: (Jade, 2011). Besides, apart from strengths, iPod also has certain limitations. Weaknesses The price of iPod is quite high as compared to other brands in the market, which acts as one of the significant barriers for Apple. As a result, it cannot be afforded by the citizens of all income groups, which increases the likelihood of switching over to other products. This can reduce the market share and loyalty to the brand, both in the market and in the society (Scribd, n.d.a). Opportunities The success of iPod amplified the opportunities for Apple to penetrate into varied new emerging markets across the world. It has also helped Apple to enhance its dominance and brand uniqueness among other apparent brands in international markets, which is highly valuable for the organization (Scribd, n.d.a). Threats Apart from opportunities, the emergence of various new entrants is a considerable threat for Apple. As a result, the intensity of rivalry among the existing enterprises also enhanced, resulting in reduction of its market value (Scribd, n.d.a). Therefore, it can be affirmed that inspite of varied weakness, iPod has proved quite successful and beneficial for Apple and has boosted its image in the society. SWOT Analysis of iPhone Strengths IPhone is also the other considerable product or device of Apple, highly preferred by the citizens of the society all over the world, especially due to its resistance to computer viruses. The inclusion of varied ranges of functions in a single device is also another praiseworthy feature of iPhone (Scribd, n.d.a). In addition, the sleek size and trendy design have attracted large array of customers all across the world, thereby enhancing the demand for the products of Apple (Scribd, n.d.a). It is depicted in the figure below. Total Sales of iPhones in Recent Years Source: (Jade, 2011). Weaknesses Apple is a premium brand and so its price policy acted as a constraint for iPhone. This substantially limited the target market of the brand as compared to other brands. Therefore, the higher authorities of Apple might desire to reduce the price ranges of the products, which might facilitate in the expansion of the brand in other new markets (Masi, 2009). Opportunities IPhone’s latest version, iPhone 4S, provides certain crucial applications that can help enhance its sales in the global market. The areas in which application development has been prepared are education, business, travelling, and gaming verticals. This aspect may also enhance total profit margin and sustainability of the organization (Masi, 2009). Threats Alteration of the tastes and the preferences of the customers might prove harmful for the organization in future times. This is due to continuous introduction of various new products and/or services. Therefore, to retain the market share, the employees of Apple might pay attention to research and development to present value-added products at an efficient cost. Thus, it can be analyzed that iPhone has significantly influenced the citizens of the society, which increased the attributes of Apple (Masi, 2009). SWOT Analysis of iTunes Strengths ITunes is also highly appreciated by the younger generation, mainly due to its feature of storing large number of songs. Touch screen and modern style of iTunes also act as affirmative factors for Apple. Therefore, these aspects have helped augment its individuality and distinctiveness in the minds of the customers and retain its assortment in the long run (Grasser, Bambauer, Harlow, Hoffman, Hwang, Krog, Mohr, Reidel, Slater, Wilson, & Palfrey, 2010). Weaknesses Due to its high price, iTunes is mainly designated for the premium customers. As a result of this barrier, the products of Apple are mainly promoted with a niche marketing strategy to attract the higher income groups (Masi, 2009). Opportunities iTunes can be made compatible with various other operational systems, thereby enlarging its range of customers. Furthermore, the internet users may also become attracted by iTunes due to its capability of storing numerous tunes (Masi, 2009). Threats The availability of online music websites may act as a threat for Apple, which might alter the fondness of the customers. Moreover, the various new competitors such as Amazon Mp3 or Rhapsody Mp3 might also reduce the market share and allegiance in the minds of its consumers (Masi, 2009). Therefore, it can be confirmed that due to the high quality and unique selling propositions, the products of Apple are highly favored by the customers around the globe. Recommendations Although Apple is a reputed brand in software and consumer electronics segment, still it needs to place emphasis on the introduction of various new products and/or services. It is also essential to amplify its market share and competitiveness. Consequently, it might also enlarge the inimitability and characteristics of its products among the consumers, resulting in the reduction of business threats. Moreover, the management of Apple might also attempt to reduce the prices of a few of the most demanded products so that it can be afforded by all income groups. This might help Apple to enlarge its range of customers, which is highly valuable for an organization to sustain its growth within the today’s society. Conclusion To retain the market value and the inimitability of the products of Apple, it is necessary to satisfy customer demands. This is because the consumers act as the backbone of an organization, and so it is very essential to retain them. Therefore, it can be revealed from the above mentioned analysis, that the products of Apple have a remarkable position and brand image in the market around the world. The devices of Apple have certainly provided the global society with a new dimension of using gadgets. The devices have made certain activities, such as listening to music, a joy for the people using Apple’s devices such as iPod and iTunes. Besides, due to appearance of varied new competitors, the demands and the necessities of the consumers are rapidly changing. Thus, it is essential to constantly invent new products to retain and to attract new series of clients. This might prove helpful for Apple to extend its productivity and exclusivity, which may help reduce the threat of new entrants. Moreover, it might also help reduce the limitations by augmenting the strengths of its products. Then the influence of the products of Apple might increase, facilitating accomplishment of the future objectives. References Apple & The Education Community. (2008). Apple classrooms of tomorrow. Retrieved from http://ali.apple.com/acot2/global/files/ACOT2_Background.pdf Barrett, J., & Werthhelmer, D. (2008). How Hollywood can out-apple Apple. Retrieved from http://www.etcenter.org/files/public/pubs/ETC-Parks-OutAppleApple.pdf Davilla, T., Epstein, M. J., & Shelton R., (2005). Making innovation work: manage it, measure it, and profit from it. United States: Pearson Prentice Hall. Grasser, U., Bambauer, D., Harlow, J., Hoffman, C., Hwang, H., Krog, G., Mohr, S., Reidel, I., Slater, D., Wilson, C. L., & Palfrey, J. (2010). I-Tunes: how copyright, contract, and technology shape the business of digital media – a case study. Retrieved from http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/media/uploads/81/iTunesWhitePaper0604.pdf Jade, C. (2011). Apple second quarter earnings preview. Retrieved from http://gigaom.com/apple/apple-second-quarter-earnings-preview/ KEA European Affairs. (2009). The impact of culture on creativity. Retrieved from http:// ec.europa.eu/culture/key-documents/doc/study_impact_cult_creativity_06_09.pdf Macstories. (n.d.). News. Retrieved from http://www.macstories.net/news/apple-q2-2012-results-39-2-billion-revenue-35-1-million-iphones-11-8-million-ipads-sold/ Masi, B. (2009). Strategic analysis of Apple Inc. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/24134877/Strategic-Analysis-of-Apple-Inc-Brian-Masi Scribd. (n.d.a) Globalization and its impact on Apple. 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