Apple 蘋果

Setting the bar high in its category and beyond, Apple is the icon for great branding meeting great technology to deliver a unique overall experience, making its giant leap from #17 to #8 in the rankings less than surprising. Consumers continue to follow its product launches with anticipation and are quick to integrate its sleek products into their lifestyles. Continuing its wave of first-to-market products, Apple launched the iPad in 2010 creating the new tablet category in the process. Since its launch, young and old alike have embraced it as a tool, with organizations from education to health to sales coming on board as well. Apple has even implemented the iPad in its innovative retail spaces as a service tool for customers as they wait in line. The recent unveiling of iCloud, a service that seamlessly links users to their music, photos, contacts, and documents, will further extend the benefits of being connected "anywhere anytime" to a fast-growing audience. Steve Jobs' recent resignation has the world curious about the impact on this innovative company as it is unclear how much of the brand's success was due directly to Jobs' own vision and control, and how much was due to his team—including new CEO, Tim Cook.