"Steve Jobs at introduction of the iPad." 2010, Computer History Museum.
The Legacy of the Personal Computer
"On stage in Seattle, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is describing this new world view, fueled by AI (artificial intelligence) that can power better health care, relieve challenges around basic human needs and create a society that’s more inclusive and accessible. Helping create a better, safer, more just world is a responsibility we take seriously at Microsoft."
Shaw, Frank X. "Advancing the future of society with AI and the intelligent edge." Microsoft Official Blog, Microsoft.
Alsadder, Katie Clark, and Fay Sliger. "Apple rings in new era of Services following landmark year." Apple Newsroom,Apple Inc., 8 Jan. 2020, p.1.
The advent of personal computers paved the way for laptops, smartphones, and tablets, which are immensely popular among the general public today. Microcomputer technology aids in accounting, entertainment, communication, business, and the arts. The opportunities and efficiency they offer can be compared to the inventions of the wheel or the printing press.
The personal computer has come to shape modern culture. In the 1980s, people used computers for word processing, video games, and business. Today, they are essential to online banking, entertainment, social communication, and health care. Computer technology was also the vehicle for the development of the internet. Society now revolves around search engines, email, and social media.
"In 1984, 8 percent of households reported owning a computer according to the Current Population Survey (CPS)… By 2015, however, the percentage of households with a computer had increased almost tenfold to 79 percent in the CPS."
- American Community Survey Reports
Ryan, Camille. "Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2016." American Community Survey Reports, Aug. 2018, p.2.
At the beginning of the 21st century, there were 40 million PCs worldwide. Estimates put the current growth rate of PCs at 12% annually, and in 2008 there were over 1 billion PCs worldwide. In 1984, 8% of households in America reported having a computer; in 2016, the percentage had increased to 89%.
“We begin the new decade with incredible momentum and gratitude to our customers who have shown such enthusiasm for all of our Services, and we continue to celebrate the work of the world’s best creators, storytellers, journalists and developers.”
- Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, January 2020
Alsadder, Katie Clark, and Fay Sliger. "Apple rings in new era of Services following landmark year." Apple Newsroom, Apple Inc., 8 Jan. 2020.
"Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun... he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world."
- President Barack Obama on the passing of Steve Jobs
The White House Office of the Press Secretary. "Statement by the President on the Passing of Steve Jobs." Statements and Releases, USAGov,5 Oct. 2011.
Shum, Harry. "Bringing autonomous systems to engineers." Official Microsoft Blog, Microsoft, 6 Nov. 2019.
"Today, our work teaching computers to play games (e.g., mastering Ms. Pac-Man) has the ability to fundamentally change the way we will build control systems in the future. The potential applications could impact a wide range of industries with profound impact on safety and productivity — going well beyond just the self-driving cars that dominate today’s news cycles."
-Harry Shum, Executive Vice President of Microsoft AI and Research Group, November 2019