Apple Inc. was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. It grew rapidly in the 1980s but then declined as competitors like Microsoft and Intel grew stronger. In 1997, Apple was struggling and brought Jobs back as an advisor. He later became CEO and helped refocus the company on innovative products and differentiation strategy. Apple now employs strategies like premium branding, rapid innovation, and unique features to maintain its competitive advantage. However, it also faces threats from extensive competition and potential changes in customer tastes.