The tech world is preparing for one of the most significant dates in recent decades: Apple’s 50th birthday, founded on April 1, 1976. While Cupertino maintains ambiguity regarding official plans – aside from Tim Cook’s general promise that "there will be something" – journalist David Pogue is already ready to summarize the first half-century of the empire. Pogue released a short video offering a glimpse of his new book, "Apple: The First 50 Years," scheduled to be published on March 10.
For those unfamiliar with the name, Pogue is one of the world’s most respected technology journalists and commentators. He served for 13 years as the lead technology reporter for the New York Times, hosted segments on CBS, and published dozens of technology guidebooks. He was chosen for the project because of the deep connections he cultivated over decades with Apple’s top executives, which gave him unprecedented access to key figures who usually prefer to stay out of the spotlight.
The ambitious project, on which Pogue has worked for the past two years, spans 600 pages and includes over 150 interviews with key figures who shaped the company. Among the interviewees are legendary names like Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, and Jony Ive, alongside a lineup of designers, engineers, and current Apple executives. The book seeks to organize the company’s complex history, debunk long-standing myths, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at phenomenal successes – such as the sale of billions of iPhones and iPads – as well as painful failures, including the Lisa, the Apple III, and the MobileMe service.
Although the official launch is about two weeks away, the market is already reacting strongly. The book is currently ranked number one in the Technology History category on Amazon and is expected to climb to the top of the overall bestseller list upon release. Pogue is not stopping at writing; with the book’s launch, he will embark on an intensive PR tour covering 11 dates in 10 different cities, with additional stops expected to be added later.