Apple 50th anniversary LIVE — all the celebrations, surprises and retrospectives as the tech giant reaches a historic milestone

Believe it or not, Apple has just turned 50 years old. What started as a company built by two Steves (and one Ronald) in a Los Altos garage is now one of the biggest tech companies in the world, pulling in billions of dollars every year and selling millions of devices to all corners of the planet.

This is especially astounding considering Apple nearly collapsed in the '90s, and was pulled back from the brink and eventually transformed into the company we all know today. Whether you love Apple or hate it, you can't deny that hitting the golden anniversary is a pretty impressive achievement.

Apple certainly thinks it's a big deal and has big plans to celebrate this milestone over the course of the next few days. We have no idea what those plans might involve, but we'll have live coverage of everything Apple does — while also joining in on the festivities ourselves.

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2026-04-01T10:34:28.962Z

Don't forget the iPhone Fold is coming

Render of a potential folding iPhone — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

We don't expect to hear anything about the iPhone Fold during Apple's 50th celebrations, we can't forget that it's still expected to arrive later this year. The very first foldable in Apple's repertoire is apparently going to mark the most significant change in iPhone history, even more so than the iPhone X and the iPhone 4.

Which means that when the 60th anniversary celebration rolls around, we're probably going to be adding the foldable to our list of the best Apple moments.

2026-04-01T10:05:30.762Z

A message from Apple CEO Tim Cook

50 years of Apple, 50 years of innovation.Thank you to our teams, our users, and everyone who’s been part of the journey. #Apple50 pic.twitter.com/YYkMN24VzcApril 1, 2026

Apple's going all in on its 50th anniversary celebrations, and CEO Tim Cook has just posted a message to X thanking users and employees for helping it reach that milestone.

The accompanying video features a rewind of all major Apple products from the past five decades, including some rather eerie music going with it.

It sounds like the music is running backwards, too, but it's too distorted for even Shazam to figure it out. Every time I try, I keep getting different results. Presumeably we'll be seeing a proper version of this video later, so we'll have to wait and see.

2026-04-01T09:35:11.411Z

There's a lot to look forward to as well

Celebrating history is all well and good, but Apple is still looking to the future as well. In fact the next year might see Apple finally get the hang of this "AI" thing, and finally let iPhone users enjoy more than Apple Intelligence has to offer.

One of the ways it might be doing this is with an "extensions" feature in iOS 27. The quick version is that it should allow Siri to link up with multiple third-party chatbots, rather than just ChatGPT. What's more, this could also be the start of giving AI its own section of the App Store — making AI software even easier to find and use.

2026-04-01T09:30:38.239Z

How well do you remember the last 50 years of Apple?

50 years is a long time, and longer than a lot of us staff at Tom's Guide have been alive — myself included. With five whole decades of history out there, there's a good chance you forgot a bunch of things that have happened to Apple since 1976. Or, perhaps you're a super Apple nerd and have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the company's entire history.

Whether you want to test your knowledge or prove yourself the biggest Apple fan, be sure to take our Apple 50th anniversary quiz and see just how knowledgeable you really are.

2026-04-01T09:23:58.553Z

AirPods Max 2 is a huge improvement

the apple airpods max 2 in blue photographed against a blue tom's guide background, showing the mesh headband, anodized aluminum ear cups, carry case, and controls — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple has released a lot of devices since the start of the year, and the most recent is the long-awaited sequel to Apple AirPods Max — Aptly named the AirPods Max 2. Considering how old the AirPods Max are and how many new features they were missing out on, this release is one we're very happy about.

You can get the full rundown of how much better the new headphones sound in our Apple AirPods Max 2 review, but the short version is that the new headphones are now industry-leading in almost every way. As Spinal Tap would say, these go up to 11.

2026-04-01T09:18:50.594Z

The Apple Watch was ground-breaking

Apple Watch 6 — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple didn't invent the smartwatch, but it certainly revolutionized the way people think about wearables. At the very least, it managed to convince a large number of users to actually buy them. The same can't really be said for the likes of Samsung or Pebble.

The Apple Watch is more than just a watch, though. Over the years, Apple has developed a lot of incredible features that make the smartwatch a must-have for iPhone owners. To commemorate Apple's 50th birthday, we've put together a list of our 10 favorites.

2026-04-01T09:14:49.350Z

We wouldn't be here without the iPod

The original iPod in 2001 — (Image credit: Credit: Getty)

The iPhone might be Apple's best-selling device, but it probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for the iPod. Not in the way we know it, at any rate. The two devices only have superficial similarities, but everything the iPod did helped pave the way for the iPhone to pop in and change the mobile industry (and Apple) forever.

2026-04-01T09:11:26.177Z

Celebrate 50 years of Apple with deconstructed iPhones

Grid Studio Apple iPhone frames — (Image credit: Future)

Even if you can get your hands on one of the oldest iPhones, it's unlikely you'll be able to do very much with it. Those phones are almost old enough to drink, and even if they do work the software is going to be painfully old and obsolete.

Still, there's a way to appreciate the industrial design and effort that went into developing the iPhone. A classier option than having a dusty old phone rattling around one of your cabinets: Deconstructed iPhone displays.

Tom's Guide Collections editor John-Anthony Disotto has put together a collection of his favorite Grid Studio Apple Frames, letting you combine nostalgia and home decor with your love of iPhones.

2026-04-01T09:04:52.103Z

What was the first ever Apple device you owned?

iPod launch Steve Jobs — (Image credit: Kim Kulish/Corbis via Getty Images)

Apple has made a lot of stuff over the years, and while it's likely that a bunch of you have owned multiple Apple devices over the years, you'll never forget the very first one. Whether it's an iPod, a Mac, an iPhone or one of the older and (now) more obscure devices, we want to hear from you.

That's especially true if you're one of the poor saps who coughed up the cash for an Apple Newton or Pippin. Because you couldn't have picked a worse way to join the Apple family.

2026-04-01T08:42:19.826Z

Apple's had some ups and downs over the decades

Steve Jobs holding the original iPhone — (Image credit: Credit: Tom's Guide/Getty)

While some people like to think everything Apple does is solid gold, that's not always been the case. Apple has certainly done a lot of great things over the past 50 years, but it's also made plenty of mistakes along the way. You don't nearly go bankrupt, and need a bailout from your biggest rival, without screwing things up.

But what are the biggest winners and losers of the past 50 years? We have a list of the best Apple highlights from the past 50 years, along with plenty of things the company would probably prefer to forget. Be sure to check all those out right here:

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