Bill Gates is known worldwide as the CEO of Microsoft – indeed, his wealth has made him the butt of some sometimes hostile humour (as can be seen in the South Park movie and one episode of the Simpsons). But Microsoft, for its profile and innovation in its field, is not utterly without serious competition. Macintosh’s are not a PC thing, but an Apple thing! Apple Inc., established on 1st April 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.Not that Macintosh’s are the only thing for which Apple is famous – far from it. They also brought us the iPod and the iPhone, and iTunes. A true multinational corporation, what it specifically does is design and manufacture IT-related material: i.e. computer software and consumer electronics. Those of us who are really familiar with modern technology, will not only be familiar will all the latest products on the market but also be able to explain how to get the best of the Mac OS X operating system, and be capable of conversing about the iTunes media browser at length; or the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software; or the iWork suite of productivity software; or Final Cut Studio (which is a suite of professional audio and film-industry software products); or Logic Studio (which is a suite of audio tools).

But it is worth taking note just how actively involved the company’s own employees are in the direct selling of their products – and they don’t just do this online. Apple have stores located around the world – they operate more than 250 retail stores in nine countries, on top of their online store. But their official site lists all the Apple Stores that there in the world (of which more than half are based in Apple’s native North America). With about 35,000 employees across the world, it was able to boast sales totalling $32.48 billion in the fiscal year ending September 2008. Apple is now global and one of the countries to take up apple products is Australia. More Australians are buying more and more apple products than ever before. The new apple store in Sydney, George Street has become one of Sydney’s busiest and liveliest stores

For an idea of what to expect from your local Apple Australia store, visit http://www.apple.com/au . No-one can fail to notice that it has entire sections devoted to their most popular products. And when you have compared all different kinds of iPod or iPhone, prices and all, to your hearts content, why not take the time to check out the lists showing which music, films, TV programmes and even games and other applications have been voted in the top 10 lists!

And there is a section devoted to explaining all you could want to know about incentives like iTunes Gift Cards. They even discuss Corporate Gifting – special pricing on gift cards and all iPod models.