Editing Apple Inc. (section)

=== Introduction   ===
Apple Inc., founded in 1976 and headquartered in Cupertino, California, continued to dominate the global tech industry in 2018. Known for its innovative hardware, software, and services, the company maintained its mission to deliver exceptional user experiences. By 2018, Apple’s ecosystem—spanning Macs, macOS, and iTunes—remained central to its success, though legacy products like the iPod had faded in prominence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bstrategyhub.com/apple-mission-statement-vision-core-values/ |quote=Apple Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://businessmodelanalyst.com/apple-mission-and-vision-statement/ |quote=Apple Inc.'s mission is to bring the best user experience to customers through innovative hardware, software, and services. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://businessabc.net/wiki/apple |quote=Apple's core products in 2018 included Macs, OS X, iLife, iWork, professional software, iPods, and iTunes. }}</ref> The year was marked by significant milestones, including the launch of the 6th generation iPad and the unveiling of software advancements at WWDC 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apple_Inc._media_events |quote=Apple hosted a media event on March 27, 2018, announcing the iPad (6th generation) and held WWDC 2018 from June 4 to June 8. }}</ref> A crowning achievement came in August when Apple became the first publicly traded company to reach a $1 trillion valuation, a testament to its financial strength and market leadership.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/milestones-along-the-way-for-apples-trip-to-1-trillion |quote=Apple became the first publicly traded company to reach a $1 trillion valuation in August 2018. }}</ref> With $265 billion in sales and a net income of $59.5 billion, Apple’s performance underscored its adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.investopedia.com/a-lookback-at-apple-s-aapl-trillion-dollar-milestones-5197463 |quote=Apple generated $265 billion in sales and $59.5 billion in net income in fiscal 2018. }}</ref> Ranked as the largest tech company globally and 8th on Forbes’ Global 2000 list, Apple’s influence extended far beyond its products, shaping trends and setting benchmarks for innovation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinstoller/2018/06/06/worlds-largest-tech-companies-2018-global-2000/ |quote=Apple was the largest tech company in the world in 2018 and ranked 8th on Forbes' Global 2000 list. }}</ref>