Steve Jobs became synonymous with the product keynote, using Apple’s stage to introduce devices that would go on to reshape the company and, in several cases, entire industries.
His product history at Apple stretches back to the company’s earliest computers, but some of his most consequential introductions came after his return in 1997. The iMac, iPod, iPhone, MacBook Air and iPad all arrived during the second Jobs era, alongside products and services that established the foundations of modern Apple.
Apple I and Apple II
Apple’s story began with the Apple I in 1976, built by Steve Wozniak and sold by the fledgling company Jobs helped create. Apple II followed in 1977 and became one of the early mass-market personal computers, turning Apple into a serious technology business.
Macintosh
Jobs famously unveiled the Macintosh in January 1984. Its graphical interface and mouse were central to Apple’s vision for making personal computers more approachable, and the Mac remains one of Apple’s core product families more than four decades later.
iMac
After returning to Apple, Jobs introduced the original iMac in May 1998. The translucent all-in-one computer became a symbol of Apple’s turnaround and helped establish the design-led approach that would define the company’s next era.
iBook
Jobs unveiled the consumer-focused iBook in 1999, complementing the iMac with a colorful portable Mac. Apple also demonstrated wireless networking with AirPort, years before Wi-Fi became an expected part of everyday computing.
Power Mac G4 Cube
The compact Power Mac G4 Cube arrived in 2000. Although it was not a major commercial success, its unusually small enclosure and minimalist design made it one of the most distinctive Macs of the Jobs era.
iPod
On October 23, 2001, Jobs introduced iPod with the promise of putting 1,000 songs in a pocket. Apple’s original announcement described a 5GB music player weighing 6.5 ounces. iPod helped transform Apple from a computer company into a consumer electronics giant.
Apple TV
After previewing a device under the name “iTV” in 2006, Jobs formally introduced Apple TV at Macworld in January 2007. The $299 box brought iTunes movies, television shows, music and photos to the television and established another product category Apple continues today.
iPhone
Jobs’ January 2007 iPhone presentation remains his most famous. He introduced what appeared to be three products before revealing they were a single device. Apple later described the original iPhone as the device that defined an era of mobile computing.
MacBook Air
In January 2008, Jobs pulled the first MacBook Air from a manila envelope on stage. Apple billed it as the world’s thinnest notebook. The Air eventually became one of the company’s most important Mac lines and helped push the wider laptop industry toward thinner, lighter designs.
iPad
Jobs unveiled iPad in January 2010, positioning it between the smartphone and laptop. Starting at $499 in the United States, the original model established Apple’s tablet business and expanded the touch-based computing model pioneered by iPhone.
iPad 2
Despite being on medical leave, Jobs returned to the stage in March 2011 to introduce iPad 2. It was thinner and lighter, added front and rear cameras and introduced the Smart Cover. It would be the final major hardware generation Jobs personally unveiled as Apple CEO.
Jobs’ final Apple keynote came three months later at WWDC 2011, when he helped introduce iCloud, iOS 5 and Mac OS X Lion. He resigned as CEO in August and died on October 5, 2011.
