Posted on 11/16/2015 10:18:46 PM PST by Swordmaker
Apple's mobile operating system iOS has not only transformed the company, but it also helped shape the mobile revolution.
Image source: Apple.
In no uncertain terms, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been instrumental in launching the mobile revolution. Consumers use mobile devices in ways they never could have dreamed of a decade ago, and the rise of mobile platforms created incredible new opportunities for many industries as the PC market matured.
This was all made possible by the creation of iOS, which powers Apple's mobile devices. When iOS was being developed, Apple executives debated whether they should start with the iPod operating system and build it up to handle more powerful devices. The alternative was to take Apple's existing desktop platform, OS X, and strip it down to the basics to achieve the same goal. The company went with the former. iOS devices now drive the majority of Apple's sales, well beyond the revenue that Macs and OS X bring in.
While the iPod Touch also runs iOS, Apple has never explicitly broken out iPod product mix and disclosed unit volumes for the iPod Touch. The Mac maker used to often say that over half of all iPod units sold each quarter were iPod Touches, which is strategically significant as a sort of gateway product into the iOS ecosystem. But lacking concrete data around iPod Touch units, we'll focus on the iPhone and iPad.
As of the most recent quarter, Apple has sold over 1.1 billion iOS devices to date (not including the iPod Touch).
Here's a breakdown of iPhone and iPad units since 2013.
|
Quarter |
iPhone and iPad Units |
Cumulative Lifetime Units |
|---|---|---|
|
Q1'13 |
56.9 |
496.8 |
|
Q2'13 |
45.9 |
542.7 |
|
Q3'13 |
47.7 |
590.5 |
|
Q4'13 |
77.1 |
667.6 |
|
Q1'14 |
60.1 |
727.7 |
|
Q2'14 |
48.5 |
776.1 |
|
Q3'14 |
51.6 |
827.7 |
|
Q4'14 |
95.9 |
923.6 |
|
Q1'15 |
73.8 |
997.4 |
|
Q2'15 |
58.5 |
1,055.9 |
|
Q3'15 |
57.9 |
1,113.8 |
Data source: SEC filings. Unit figures in millions.
There is another way that iOS has been critical to Apple's product development. The operating system has also served as a foundation for Apple's other platforms. Both watchOS that powers Apple Watch and tvOS that powers Apple TV are based on iOS before they were tailored for different product categories.
The next billion-dollar iSecret
The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something at its recent event, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.
Evan Niu, CFA owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Ping to dayglored, Shadow Ace; Thundersleeps for their ping lists.
The latest Apple/Mac/iOS Pings can be found by searching Keyword "ApplePingList" on FreeRepublic's Search.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me
“Over 1 Billion Served”
Not bad for a company that has less than 20% of the smartphone market.
I had this debate before. Amazon has proven that a profitless growth model is viable.
Apple had the profit edge in the PC battle, too, and we all know how that turned out. Eventually, adoption becomes King.
Profitless growth is an oxymoron. What passes for it is profit reinvested in low margins to induce growth. Otherwise it is a Ponzi scheme. And, I would add, it turns into a Ponzi scheme if there is a downturn in the market at the wrong time.
It’s not an oxymoron under GAAP.
But, then, under your logic, your 90% of the profits statement is completely wrong. Do you know that Android phone makers *aren’t* reinvesting profits to capture additional market share?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.