Butterfly that raised Apple tsunami

If we assume that the day before, then exactly 10 years ago, Apple took a step, then the significance of which, back in 2003, almost no one could appreciate. As in the story of a butterfly that flick their wings lifted a giant wave swept through half the world, and this event in the history of the "fruit company" has had an enormous impact on the further development of Apple. About such things rarely hear even from the most ardent Apple-observers, but it really was a day when "Hell frozen over."

October 16, 2003, Apple released the "best in the history of Windows-based application» - iTunes for Windows. Then Apple computers occupied only 3.2% of the US market, and this proportion is gradually reduced, but to create software for the PC, even within the company was considered prohibitive heresy.

In a recently published book by Max Chafkina Design CrasyBased on oral stories of eyewitnesses and participants of the events described, first reported the details of which the general public did not know until now. In one chapter the author pays tribute to the senior vice president of marketing for Apple Phil Schiller and senior vice president of software development, John Rubenstein.

The fact that Steve Jobs wanted Apple applications and devices were available only for Mac users. Jobs stubbornly stood his ground, but Phil and John were convinced that the adaptation of "apple" products for PC-based computers will bring us huge benefits. And judging by the following quote Rubinstein, Steve Jobs responded in his usual manner:

We had a long argument with Steve [on iTunes release for Windows], and he kept saying no. In the end we are Phil Schiller said: "We still do that," to which Steve replied: "Well, and dick with you, do whatever you want. Themselves will be responsible, "- and in anger left the room.

This step was taken by the iPod accessible to 97% of people who have had Windows-computers.

These people were able to see how smoothly can work together software and hardware.

They learned how easy it is to install updates.

Their first iPod turned into their first iPhone.

Then they realized that their life can be much easier if you go on a Macintosh.

And all this time the market value of Apple rose higher and higher, and as a result the company has become the most expensive in the world.

That's why in my New York office of the old hanging a banner reading "Hell frozen over" - it reminds me of one of the best strategic business decisions taken by the ever any company.

— Chris Frelik.