Apple and environmental problems

INTRODUCTION:

Rapid development of technology forces us to purchase televisions, computers, mp3 players, mobile phones on daily bases. If we want to afford latest hi-tech product we will have to spend a huge amount of money. But money is not the only issue of new technology. We are often forgetting problematic subject which is, for now, hidden from our eyes. We are talking about environmentalproblems where old and used products have leading role. To remind us again that computers and mobile phones present a tremendous disposal problem and how important is to prevent production of devices which are dangerous for our environment, we choose to present Apple’s new hi-tech phone Iphone 3G. Iphone 3G was a great sales hit worldwide. But not for long. European Union has forbidden to saleIphone 3G in Europe. The reason for prohibition is harmful battery which can not be recycled. On next pages we will present Apple’s approach to the problem and on the other hand European Union’s opinion, furthermore we will try to find a best solution for Apple and for Europe and most importantly for our “endangered” environment.
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer Inc., is anAmerican multinational corporation which designs and manufactures consumer electronics and software products. The company's best-known hardware products include Macintosh computers, the iPod and the iPhone. Apple software includes the Mac OS X operating system, the iTunes media browser, the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software, the iWork suite of productivity software, and Final CutStudio, a suite of professional audio and film-industry software products. The company operates more than 250 retail stores in nine countries and an online store where hardware and software products are sold.
Apple was established on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, to sell the Apple I personal computer kit. They were hand-built by Wozniak andwent on sale in July 1976. Apple was incorporated in January 1977. The company was called "Apple Computer, Inc." for its first 30 years, but dropped the word "Computer" in January 2007 to reflect the company's ongoing expansion into the consumer electronics market in addition to its traditional focus on personal computers. Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronicsindustry. This includes a customer base that is devoted to the company and its brand, particularly in the United States.
SOME OF THE MAIN PRODUCTS:
• Mac and accessories
Apple makes different computers, such as Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Xserve etc., and sells a variety of computer accessories for all that computers including the AirPort wireless networkingproducts, Time Capsule, Cinema Display, Mighty Mouse, the Apple Wireless Keyboard computer keyboard, and the Apple USB Modem.
• iPod
In 2001, Apple introduced the iPod digital music player. It has evolved to include various models targeting the needs of different users. The iPod is the market leader in portable music players by a significant margin. Apple currently sells four variants of the iPod( iPod Classic , iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iPod Touch.
• Apple TV
At the 2007 Macworld conference, Jobs demonstrated the Apple TV, (previously known as the iTV), a set-top video device intended to bridge the sale of content from iTunes with high-definition televisions. The device links up to a user's TV and syncs, either via Wi-Fi or a wired network, with one computer's iTunes library andstreams from an additional four.
• Software
• iPhone
The iPhone is an internet-connected multimedia smart phone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a flush multi-touch screen and a minimal hardware interface. The device does not have a physical keyboard, so a virtual keyboard is rendered on the touch screen instead. The iPhone functions as a camera phone (including text...