Apple's Tim Cook notches first year as CEO

It's been a year at the helm for Apple's top executive, who is under more scrutiny than just about any corporate honcho anywhere.

 When Tim Cook assumed Apple's leadership from an ailing Steve Jobs one year ago today, investors reacted by pushing down the company's shares by more than $6.

One year later, the stock is up 44 percent, the company is about to introduce a new version of its popular iPhone, and Apple is now the most valuable company in the world based on market capitalization.
After two stints filling in as CEO while Jobs was ill, Cook has finally emerged from the shadow of Apple's legendary founder and earned his place on center stage as one of the business world's most influential chief executives.
Cook came on board at a critical juncture in Apple's history. The company was clearly riding high, but it also faced a number of serious challenges. Given the company's subsequent success, it's easy to forget that many Apple-watchers once worried that Cook's appointment might threaten the company's meteoric growth rate.
That's yet to be seen, at least so far as the long term outlook is concerned. But the past year of financial results have been Apple's best yet. With a replenished product line that has led to record-breaking sales in Mac computers, iPhones and iPads, Apple shares hit a record high this month. Analysts are also expecting one of the biggest holiday quarters yet to come, fueled by the potential release not just of a new iPhone, but another iPad model as well.
"Apple has had a great year and the expectations around iPhone 5 are running very high," says Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi. "We will likely see in a few weeks if the September 12 date rumor is confirmed what Apple will have in store. As a company Apple remained focused at a time when it would have been easy to be overwhelmed by external pressure and distractions."
Carrying the torch
One of those distractions is the company's aggressive legal strategy. It's certainly not unprecedented in the annals of Apple history, though its ferocity has amped up to a whole new level during Cook's first year as CEO.
The latest front is against companies making rival mobile devices, beginning with a patent suit against HTC in 2010. Later that same year Motorola sued Apple, which sued right back. But Jobs brought out the big guns 16 months ago when Apple accused Samsung of outright stealing its patented technology and using it in a new line of snazzy smartphones and tablet computers. It was a bold, and potentially hazardous move considering the two companies shared a multi-billion dollar business partnership with one another.
News By;cnet.com