No, LinkedIn is not a part of Apple. LinkedIn is an independent social media platform owned by Microsoft, while Apple is a technology company known primarily for its hardware products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers.
LinkedIn operates as a separate entity from Apple and the two companies have very different business models and product offerings. Apple makes consumer electronics and software like iOS and macOS. LinkedIn provides a social network focused on professional networking and job seeking. The two companies have no formal corporate relationship.
LinkedIn Company Overview
LinkedIn was founded in 2002 in California as one of the first mainstream social networks focused specifically on business connections and job seeking. LinkedIn allows users to create professional profiles, connect with colleagues and clients, find job opportunities, publish professional content, participate in industry groups, and more.
As of 2022, LinkedIn reported having over 875 million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The platform is available in 24 different languages.
In 2016, Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. This gave Microsoft a strong presence in the professional social media space to complement its software and cloud computing businesses. LinkedIn operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft but continues to function as an independent business within Microsoft’s broader portfolio.
Under Microsoft’s ownership, LinkedIn has continued expanding its user base and enhancing its offerings with new features like automated profile highlighting, expanded educational courses, and more integrations across Microsoft’s ecosystem. However, the core professional networking abilities remain LinkedIn’s primary focus.
Apple Company Overview
Apple is one of the world’s largest technology companies, best known for products like the iPhone, iPad, Macbook laptops, AirPods headphones, Apple Watch, and more. Apple is headquartered in Cupertino, California and was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.
Unlike LinkedIn’s social media and job seeking focus, Apple designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, software, and online services. Some of Apple’s major product lines include:
– iPhone: Apple’s iconic smartphone first launched in 2007. It remains one of the world’s most popular phone models.
– iPad: Apple’s pioneering tablet computer first released in 2010. It helped popularize tablet computing for the mainstream.
– Mac: Apple’s personal computers that run on its proprietary macOS operating system rather than Windows.
– Apple Watch: Apple’s smartwatch line first released in 2015. It’s a wearable computer with health/fitness tracking capabilities.
– AirPods: Apple’s wireless Bluetooth earbuds first released in 2016. AirPods are among the world’s most popular wireless earbuds.
– iOS: Apple’s proprietary mobile operating system that runs on iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.
– App Store: Apple’s digital marketplace for downloading iOS apps and content. The App Store ecosystem helped popularize mobile apps.
Apple does not currently own any major social networks or have any significant presence in the social media space. They are primarily a maker of consumer devices and software. LinkedIn’s social networking platform is well outside Apple’s core focus areas.
Relationship Between Apple and LinkedIn
Given that Apple and LinkedIn operate in very different technology segments, the two companies have little formal relationship. Here are some key points about the lack of corporate ties between Apple and LinkedIn:
– They have no common ownership – LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, while Apple is a publicly traded company.
– There are no cooperative partnerships between the companies. For example, Apple devices do not come preloaded with LinkedIn’s app or content services.
– LinkedIn does offer iOS app versions that Apple device owners can download from the App Store. But this type of app distribution relationship is standard practice between Apple and all third-party developers.
– Apple and LinkedIn have separate corporate leadership with no shared executives or cross-appointed board members.
– Neither company has acquired or merged with the other. All major mergers and acquisitions have been with other companies.
– There are no joint projects or products between Apple and LinkedIn. They operate fully independent consumer product lines and services.
– LinkedIn’s business model focused on professional social media does not align strategically with Apple’s focus on premium consumer devices and experiences.
So in summary, while LinkedIn offers app access on Apple devices, the two tech giants ultimately have separate corporate structures, strategies, and product portfolios. There is no special partnership or ownership relationship between Apple and LinkedIn.
Interface Between Apple and LinkedIn
The main interface between Apple and LinkedIn is simply that iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can access LinkedIn’s social network platform via LinkedIn mobile and desktop apps. Here is an overview of the access LinkedIn offers for Apple users:
– LinkedIn iOS App – LinkedIn offers a full-featured iOS app optimized for iPhone and iPad. It allows Apple device owners to use core LinkedIn features like managing their profile, connecting with other members, reviewing job postings, sharing content, messaging contacts, receiving notifications, and more.
– LinkedIn Mac App – LinkedIn also provides an app tailored to macOS laptop and desktop devices. It offers the same core networking capabilities as the mobile app but with a desktop-optimized interface.
– Website Access – In addition to native apps, Apple users can access the LinkedIn social network through any web browser on their devices. LinkedIn is available as a responsive web site, though without some optimization afforded by native mobile/desktop apps.
– Sign In with Apple – As of 2020, members can sign into their LinkedIn accounts on Apple devices using Apple’s Sign in with Apple service. This allows authentication via their Apple ID rather than needing a standalone LinkedIn username and password.
– Siri Shortcuts – On iOS devices, members can use Siri voice commands to quickly launch LinkedIn’s apps and access common profile functions like messaging contacts.
So in summary, while Apple itself does not own or operate LinkedIn’s platform, Apple users have full access to participate in the LinkedIn social network ecosystem using LinkedIn’s own provided apps and services. The two companies collaborate only to the typical extent needed to distribute apps on the App Store.
LinkedIn Use Among Apple Customers
Given Apple’s popularity among professionals and affluent consumers, LinkedIn sees heavy usage among Apple device owners – but concrete numbers are hard to obtain. Neither Apple nor LinkedIn provide official statistics on crossover use.
However, Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad are estimated to have roughly 50% market share in major Western countries like the United States. And LinkedIn is one of the world’s most popular professional social media platforms with over 875 million members globally. So there is likely to be significant overlapping use.
Surveys of American professionals found that an estimated 25-35% use Apple desktop/laptop devices for work. And iPhone market share amongst professionals skews higher than average. So it’s reasonable to infer that tens of millions of LinkedIn members likely access the platform via Apple devices.
But concrete statistics are unavailable since Apple does not share device/app usage data. Neither LinkedIn nor third-party analysts have published reliable reports quantifying how many LinkedIn members use the service on iOS or through Mac devices specifically. But qualitatively, Apple and LinkedIn products both have strong penetration among white collar professionals in the U.S., implying significant overlapping use.
Key Takeaways: LinkedIn and Apple Relationship
In summary, here are some key facts about the relationship (or lack thereof) between LinkedIn and Apple:
– LinkedIn and Apple are completely separate companies – there is no ownership or partnership relationship.
– LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft and operates independently. Apple is a publicly traded company.
– The only major connection is that LinkedIn offers iOS and Mac apps to allow access via Apple devices.
– But LinkedIn has similar app distribution relationships with many cross-platform developers.
– There are no special integrations, pre-installations, or exclusives between the LinkedIn and Apple ecosystems.
– Both companies cater to professional/affluent consumers, implying indirect overlapping customer bases. But no hard statistics on dual users are available.
– LinkedIn focuses on professional social networking for career development. Apple is in the premium hardware and software business. Their core businesses have little strategic overlap.
So in summary, while many Apple device users likely access LinkedIn regularly, the two companies ultimately have no formal corporate relationship and operate fully separate businesses in different technology market segments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the relationship between LinkedIn and Apple:
Does Apple own LinkedIn?
No, Apple does not own LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an independent company owned by Microsoft. Apple has no ownership stake.
Is LinkedIn preloaded on Apple devices?
No, Apple devices do not come pre-installed with LinkedIn. Users must download the LinkedIn mobile apps from the App Store like any third-party app.
Does Tim Cook sit on LinkedIn’s board?
No, Apple CEO Tim Cook is not on LinkedIn’s board of directors. The companies have separate boards and leadership.
Can you sign into LinkedIn with your Apple ID?
Not directly. But on Apple devices, users can now authenticate with LinkedIn using Apple’s Sign In with Apple service. This uses their Apple ID and bypasses the need for a separate LinkedIn login.
Does LinkedIn provide any special features for Apple products?
No. LinkedIn treats Apple like any other platform – it simply provides iOS and Mac apps for LinkedIn access on Apple devices. There are no unique integrations or exclusives.
Do Apple employees get free LinkedIn Premium accounts?
There are no reports of Apple and LinkedIn collaborating to offer special employee benefits. Their worker perks appear to be separate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LinkedIn operates fully independently from Apple as part of Microsoft. While Apple device users can access LinkedIn via provided apps, the two technology giants have separate corporate structures and core businesses. Claims that LinkedIn is owned by or specially partnered with Apple are false. The two companies ultimately have no formal relationship beyond basic app distribution through channels like the App Store. Any strategic linking of the LinkedIn and Apple ecosystems is merely an indirect result of their overlapping affluent customer bases rather than direct cooperation between the companies themselves.