Mindless Escapism

Phil Schiller delivers the keynote at Apple Expo Paris 2004, in the absence of Steve Jobs. Jobs has undergone major surgery to remove his pancreatic cancer. During surgery, doctors note Jobs’ cancer has metastasised to his liver. Jobs tells the world he is cured. He isn’t.

Project Q79, the touchscreen tablet, falters. Processing power, battery life, thermals, operating system, cost. You name it, everything was a problem.

The iPod Mini debuts, bringing a lower price and vibrant colours to the iPod range.

Meanwhile, Apple’s mysterious touchscreen tablet project progresses.

Steve Jobs receives devastating news about his health.

Apple unleashes the Power Mac G5, as it struggles to keep pace with Intel’s processors. Apple has turned to IBM as a chip supplier after Motorola failed to produce the goods. Plus, Apple’s research into touchscreens becomes project Q79, an initiative to create a tablet Mac.

Apple makes the move that will turn them into the biggest seller of music in the world, much to their surprise. Bonus: A small group within Apple begins experimenting with touchscreens for the Mac. Little do they know it will end up on a revolutionary phone.

With Apple firing on all cylinders, Steve Jobs delivers a classic keynote presentation. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the origin of the Safari web browser. 

Hell freezes over as Apple releases an iPod for Windows. Behind the scenes, the top secret Project Marklar continues to port Mac OS X from PowerPC to Intel chips.

This is the most offbeat episode ever: Apple and Enterprise. The 2 went together like oil and water. Just not what Steve Jobs was interested in. Bonus: a young man by the name of Tim Cook makes his first onstage appearance at an Apple event.  

The iPod is available! Next Apple releases an entirely new iMac. With its distinctive sunflower-inspired design, the G4 iMac is an instant classic. Apple is operating at a level unparalleled in the computer industry.