Everybody knew Apple was a force to be reckoned with, but it turns out the company's scale is seriously huge.
Tim Cook today revealed that there are now over one billion Apple devices in use around the world.
The CEO made the announcement in celebration of Apple's 40th birthday – coming up on April 1 – at today's Cupertino launch event.
"Recently we passed a major milestone, that no one could have ever imagined," explains Cook. "There are now more than one billion Apple devices in use around the world."
He continues: "This is an incredible milestone for us, and an indicator of how much impact Apple has on people around the world. Our products are such an important part of people’s daily lives, and with that comes a significant responsibility.’’
Cook also used the topic to segue into a monologue on the company's recent spat with the FBI over iPhone encyrption.
"We built the iPhone for you, our customers, and we know that it is a deeply personal device. For many of us, the iPhone is an extension of ourselves," he told press. "About a month ago, we asked Americans across the country to join in a conversation. We need to decide as a nation how much power the government should have over our data and over our privacy."
"I’ve been humbled and deeply grateful for the outpouring of support that we’ve received from Americans across the country," adds Cook. "We did not expect to be in this position, at odds with our own government.’’
