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State-Sized Software Devs

Apple Eclipses the U.S. Government in Terms of Wealth

— August 1, 2011 — Lifestyle
In the mid-90s, Apple Inc. was on the verge of financial collapse, now it's the American government who's on the chopping block. After less than two decades, Steve Jobs was able to pull his failing company from the precipice of bankruptcy -- can the U.S. legislature do the same thing?

After posting their third quarter earnings, Apple has made it crystal clear that they aren't a company to be trifled with; after all, the company has almost $76 billion in its coffers, while the U.S. government has a paltry $73.7 billion sitting around until it hits the debt ceiling. That isn't to say the computer developer could conceivably bail the country out, but Apple Inc. could buy companies that the government can't afford itself.

Considering Apple's $365 billion market cap, Steve Jobs and co. are expected to leapfrog ahead of Exxon Mobil as the world's most valuable public company. That's right, iPhones are responsible for generating more wealth than oil. If this isn't a sign of things to come, what is?
Trend Themes
1. Financial Supremacy of Tech Companies - The rise of tech giants like Apple Inc. showcases the disruptive innovation opportunities in the financial sector, where technology companies can surpass traditional industries in terms of wealth.
2. Government Financial Challenges - The financial state of the U.S. government highlights the need for disruptive innovation in the public sector, where new solutions and approaches can help address budgetary issues.
3. Market Dominance of Tech Products - The dominance of Apple's iPhones in generating wealth demonstrates the potential for disruptive innovation in the consumer electronics industry, where technology products can surpass traditional commodities.
Industry Implications
1. Financial Sector - The financial sector can explore disruptive innovation opportunities to compete with tech companies and adapt to the changing landscape of wealth creation.
2. Public Sector - The public sector can leverage disruptive innovation to overcome financial challenges and find new ways to manage budgets and generate revenue.
3. Consumer Electronics Industry - The consumer electronics industry can embrace disruptive innovation to create innovative products that generate substantial wealth and redefine market dynamics.
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