Technologies

Apple becomes world’s first $3 trillion company

The inventor of the iPhone, iPad, iPod music player and Mac computer nearly went bankrupt two decades ago. Now, it’s the world’s most highly valued.

A little over three years ago, Apple investors pushed the value of its shares above $1 trillion, making it the world’s most highly valued tech company. Then, two years later, Apple stock rose so high that the company’s value passed $2 trillion. Now, it’s risen yet again, topping $3 trillion. As in $3,000,000,000,000.

Around 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, Apple stock hit $182.86 per share, which when multiplied by the 16.4 billion shares outstanding, values Apple at about $3 trillion. That’s more than the value of AT&T, Boeing, Coca-Cola, Comcast, Disney, Exxon, Ford, Goldman Sachs, IBM, McDonald’s, Morgan Stanley, Netflix, Nike, and Walmart — combined. The largely symbolic milestone comes as Apple’s struggled to keep up with near-record demand for its devices amid the pandemic.

In October, the tech giant warned investors that it was struggling with supply chain disruptions amid the coronavirus pandemic, which at the time amounted to as much as $6 billion in lost revenue. «We are optimistic about the future, especially as we see strong demand for new products,» Apple CEO Tim Cook told analysts on a conference call back then.

Apple’s market value moment marks another reminder of the company’s unlikely turnaround from near bankruptcy in 1997 to one of the most influential companies on the planet. Part of how the company did that was by creating mass-market products like the iPod music player, iPhone and iPad, which went on to become leading devices in each of their competing markets.

Apple’s been led by Cook for the past decade. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs recruited him to help oversee the company’s supply chain and operations in 1998. Jobs named him as successor in 2011, just a few months before Jobs died of cancer that year.

At $3 trillion, Apple’s value is greater than the annual economic output of the United Kingdom, France, India or Italy, according to data collected by the World Bank. Only Germany, Japan, China and the US are larger.

«Financial returns are simply the result of Apple’s innovation, putting our products and customers first, and always staying true to our values,» Cook said in a memo to staff after the company reached $1 trillion, according to Reuters. Cook has frequently said that investors looking for Apple to focus on stock performance rather than its products shouldn’t invest in the company.

Apple shares closed regular trading at $182.01, valuing the company at $2.99 trillion.

Technologies

Adorn Your Wrist With a 45mm Pixel Watch 3 for Just $200 This Black Friday

Both Amazon and Walmart are selling Google’s Pixel Watch 3 for just $200, but for how long?

There are tons of reasons to pick up a new smartwatch, not the least of which is monitoring your health and tracking your fitness goals. If you’re in the Android world, there are plenty of options to choose from right now. The Pixel Watch 3 is a solid choice, and it was our favorite Android smartwatch until the new Pixel Watch 4 took its place in the lineup. But the Watch 3 still boasts some great features that can help you stay on top of your wellness goals into the new year as well. And both Amazon and Walmart are running Black Friday deals that make it significantly cheaper than the Pixel Watch 4.

Both retailers are selling the bigger 45mm model with a solid $100 discount, so you can pick one up for just $200. That’s $100 less than the Pixel Watch 4’s Black Friday price. Again, this offer is available at both Walmart and Amazon, so take your pick as to where you place your order. Just do it soon because we don’t know how long these Black Friday deals will last.

The impressive watch was previously our top Android smartwatch because of its attractive design, large screen and speedy charging. It no longer requires a Fitbit Premium membership to access your readiness score, and it has plenty of great tools for runners. However, although the watch comes with Google Assistant, it doesn’t include Gemini, Google’s AI.

Lisa Eadicicco, a former senior editor, said in her CNET review, «The Pixel Watch 3’s upgrades are enough to keep it as my top pick for a general-purpose Android smartwatch. If you’re anything like me and consider yourself a casual runner in need of a general-purpose Android watch that’s sleek and comfortable, the Pixel Watch 3 won’t disappoint.»

If this isn’t the Pixel Watch for you, take a look at our full roundup on the best Pixel Watch deals going on right now.

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band):

$339 (save $60)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth, Graphite Band):

$280 (save $70)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi, Matte Black):

$300 (save $50)
Garmin Venu Sq 2 GPS Smartwatch (Shadow Gray):

$150 (save $100)
CMF Watch 2 Pro Smartwatch (Blue):

$49 (save $30)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

Google Watches don’t go on sale often. These rare discounts on the Pixel Watch 3 are thanks to the release of the Pixel Watch 4 earlier this year. This deal drops the 45mm model to just $200 — a new all-time low, and a strong value for one of the most versatile Android smartwatches available.

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Technologies

I Regularly Buy Belkin Gear at Full Price, but You Can Save Up to 63% for Black Friday

Belkin makes excellent mobile accessories, from cables to wireless charging stands. Snag some of our favorites for less this Black Friday.

You can never have too many charging options, especially when you can stock up during an epic sale. We’re just hours away from Black Friday, and Belkin is offering up to 65% off its mobile accessories at Amazon. Belkin regularly shows up in our best lists, including our roundup of top wireless chargers.

The brand makes excellent gear at reasonable prices, and those prices just got even lower. Whether you’re looking for a charging station for your nightstand or a sleek power bank for travel days, there’s a Belkin Black Friday deal for you.

The Belkin MagSafe three-in-one wireless charging stand landed on our list of best wireless chargers for its impressive fast-charging performance. Our expert, David Carnoy, praised the stand’s convenient design and its ability to fast charge Apple’s entire ecosystem. That means you’ll be able to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and any AirPods with a wireless charging case — all at once. Carnoy’s only complaint was the price; however, it’s substantially discounted for Black Friday. Belkin’s MagSafe three-in-one wireless charging stand is now just $78 — 35% off the usual $120 price.

If you spend a lot of time in your car, be it a long commute or regular road trips, a good car mount is a must. The Belkin MagSafe car mount is another one of our favorite accessories. The magnets provide a strong, secure hold for your phone, and you can rotate it for easy access. The mount plus charger is currently available for $55, down from $80.

Speaking of road trips, if you’re traveling this holiday season, you definitely need a portable power bank. Belkin has a 10,000 mAh power bank with a built-in USB-C power delivery cable for $15. This 20-watt charger typically retails for $40, so you’re saving 63%. There are four colors, but this price only applies to the black model. Other colors are available for $30.

If you’ve got a Nintendo Switch 2 or you’re gifting it to a loved one, you’ll love Belkin’s Switch 2 travel case. It’s lightweight with a hard shell and has storage pockets for up to 12 game cards. Snag one right now for $22. Just make sure you click the on-page coupon to get the full discount.

Belkin also has huge discounts on headphones and earbuds if those are on your gift list this year.

Why this deal matters

Phone accessories, including chargers and earbuds, can wear quickly and are easy to lose. Third-party retailers like Belkin offer a solid selection of mobile accessories for all budgets. This Black Friday deal makes now an excellent time to shop with up to 63% off top-rated charging stations, car mounts and even headphones.