Apple at 50: David Pogue on Steve Jobs, the iPhone, and the Story Behind the World’s Most Influential Tech Company

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend with Phil Tower, we welcome
David Pogue — Author of: Apple: The First 50 Years.

Few companies have shaped modern life as profoundly as Apple—from the earliest days of personal computing to the smartphones that millions of us carry every day.

As the company reaches its 50-year milestone, award-winning journalist, longtime tech columnist, and television host David Pogue joins the program to discuss his sweeping new book, Apple: The First 50 Years.

Drawing on more than 150 new interviews with key figures in Apple’s history—including co-founder Steve Wozniak, legendary designer Jony Ive, and CEO Tim Cook—Pogue’s nearly 600-page book explores the triumphs, failures, personalities, and innovations that turned a small Silicon Valley startup into one of the most influential companies in the world.

In our conversation, Pogue shares behind-the-scenes stories from his reporting and decades of covering Apple, including:

• What inspired him to take on such an ambitious history at the company’s 50-year mark
• Memorable moments from the 150+ interviews that shaped the book
• His rare first look at the original iPhone in 2007, nearly two decades ago
• Personal phone calls from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs—some friendly, some famously intense
• Apple’s near-collapse in the 1990s and the dramatic turnaround after Jobs returned
• Why Apple’s culture and people remain its most important assets
• Inside Apple Park—the futuristic “Spaceship” headquarters in Cupertino
• The company’s missteps, including products like Lisa and MobileMe
• And what the next 20 years could hold for Apple

If you’re a fan of technology, innovation, or the stories behind the devices that shape our daily lives, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the people and ideas behind one of the world’s most iconic companies.

Learn more:
Get David’s Book: Apple: The First 50 Years
See David’s terrific story on Apple’s First 50 Years from CBS Sunday Morning
David Pogue Sings “I Want An iPhone” (Viral Video)


West Michigan Weekend, hosted by Phil Tower, is available wherever you get your podcasts, including the iHeartRadio app.