Apple and Tim Cook Celebrate 40 Years of Company's Presence in Singapore

[MacRumors]

Apple today celebrated four decades of the company's presence in Singapore, which was just 16 years old as a nation when Apple's first office opened there in 1981.

Apple Marina Bay Sands retail store​

In a press release, Apple hailed its base for Asia Pacific operations as a globally recognized center of innovation and expertise, dedicated to embracing a "high-tech vision for the future."

"We're thrilled to be celebrating this important milestone with our teams in Singapore, and the customers and communities they serve with creativity and passion," says Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail + People. "Together, we've created an enduring partnership rooted in our shared values that will empower us to build a brighter tomorrow."

According to Apple, Singapore is home to more than 3,500 Apple team members representing over 50 nationalities, and the company supports over 55,000 jobs in the country when factoring in the iOS app economy.

Singapore also boasts five Apple Distinguished Schools, where educators are certified Apple Teachers, trained in foundational skills for iPad and Mac, while students learn basic Swift coding as part of their core curriculum.

In 2020, Apple partnered with Singapore's healthcare system to launch LumiHealth, a personalized program to encourage healthy activity and behaviors using Apple Watch and iPhone. It was also the first company in the country to run on 100% renewable energy.

Last year, Apple made a splash in Singapore when it opened its Marina Bay Sands retail store, which has a unique dome-like design unlike any other Apple store and sits on a body of water.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1418074803630579714

Also today, CEO Tim Cook was interviewed on local radio to celebrate the company's 40-year history, and explained that his first job at Apple was to visit Singapore's production line for the original translucent iMac. Cook also revealed that the first Apple product he used was an Apple II when he was studying at Auburn university.

Article Link: Apple and Tim Cook Celebrate 40 Years of Company's Presence in Singapore

 

[BigSmurf]

I lived for 2 years in Singapore, in 2012 and 2013. Loved the life, the safety, the sense for entrepreneurship and innovation which has only increased since then.

 

[Kype]

Im surprised the earlier iphone launches, Singapore was one of the few countries to be launched in

Its such a small market

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Did I read that right. “Singapore, which was just 16 years old as a nation”. !!!!
Singapore has been nation for hundreds of years. I lived there in the late 60s and early 70s as a child so I know it very well.
Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamfird Raffles as a trading post of the British Empire

 

[creepyTowel]

That's a spectacular-looking Apple Store!

 

[BootsWalking]

Did I read that right. “Singapore, which was just 16 years old as a nation”. !!!!
Singapore has been nation for hundreds of years. I lived there in the late 60s and early 70s as a child so I know it very well.
Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamfird Raffles as a trading post of the British Empire

They're obviously dating it from when Singapore gained full self-governance and independence, the same as how America's age is based on its independence date.

 

[reddevil0728]

Did I read that right. “Singapore, which was just 16 years old as a nation”. !!!!
Singapore has been nation for hundreds of years. I lived there in the late 60s and early 70s as a child so I know it very well.
Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamfird Raffles as a trading post of the British Empire

Singapore as a Nation only became independent in 1965.

 

[I7guy]

Didn't realize Apple had an office in Singapore in 1981.

 

[ian87w]

Im surprised the earlier iphone launches, Singapore was one of the few countries to be launched in

Its such a small market

Singapore is a small market, locally, but it's a global hub, connecting pretty much all of SE Asia and most of Asia. Singapore also has the highest GDP per capita in SE Asia, higher than Hong Kong and even Japan. Singapore has beaten Tokyo, becoming the most expensive city in the world. It's a small market, but a lot of money. Besides, launching in Singapore in the past means you're also serving customers from Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.

 

[reddevil0728]

Im surprised the earlier iphone launches, Singapore was one of the few countries to be launched in

Its such a small market

small market but rich nation

 

[miq]

That's a spectacular-looking Apple Store!

It's an absolute eyesore. Looks ridiculous

 

[reddevil0728]

It's an absolute eyesore. Looks ridiculous

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

 

[Bazooka-joe]

They're obviously dating it from when Singapore gained full self-governance and independence, the same as how America's age is based on its independence date.

ah yes good point. The Crown colony was dissolved on 16 September 1963 when Singapore became a state of Malaysia and then 1965, Singapore officially left Malaysia to become the independent Republic of Singapore. I remember a lot of that quite well including the Malayan/Indonesian conflict as we were in the thick of it.

 

[skitidetdu]

I lived for 2 years in Singapore, in 2012 and 2013. Loved the life, the safety, the sense for entrepreneurship and innovation which has only increased since then.

Singapore is amazing! Only been there once on vacation and a couple of layovers on long flights. Would love to live there sometime.

 

[Madhatter32]

The rise of Singapore is nothing short of an economic miracle. It's like what Hong Kong used to be before 1999. It's a country where entrepreneurship and the free market are nurtured and promoted. It is doing things right and deserves capital investment from the West.

 

[Captain Trips]

That's a spectacular-looking Apple Store!

I agree, and I like the picture of the Apple Store posted in this article. I had found a high resolution version of that picture online and I use it as the wallpaper for Mac OS 9.2.2 on my 2004 Mac mini G4.

 

[apparatchik]

I will add to the highlights of Singapore the inclusion and harmony of its ethnicities, faiths and cultures, it might not be perfect or friction free but it’s miles ahead of everything west or east.

 

[I@beck]

I live in Singapore. I still can’t believe that Apple actually having 3 Apple stores in Singapore as Singapore actually is an small island. In Marina Bay Sands, there is an escalator which known to be the only Apple store in the world having escalator..

 

[citysnaps]

I lived for 2 years in Singapore, in 2012 and 2013. Loved the life, the safety, the sense for entrepreneurship and innovation which has only increased since then.

I would love to travel to Singapore someday.

 

[mikethemartian]

I remember when the company I worked for was moving manufacturing from the US to China I was told if I was sent there not to chew gum.

Edit: I meant Singapore

 

[citysnaps]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

For sure on that. To me it's beautiful and innovative. It's great that Apple is always pushing the envelope with respect to imaginative architecture.

 

[reddevil0728]

I remember when the company I worked for was moving manufacturing from the US to China I was told if I was sent there not to chew gum.

erm but China and Singapore are 2 different places though.

 

[arvinsim]

So many Apple Stores in Singapore but virtually no Apple Stores in other South East Asian countries.

 

[matrix07]

So many Apple Stores in Singapore but virtually no Apple Stores in other South East Asian countries.

What? Just on the top of my head, Thailand has 2.

 

[iapplelove]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I would have to see it in person, but it does kinds stick out in a bad way.