Question

Identify two cost objects and three activities for Apple inc.

Answer 1

APPLE INC.

APPLE Inc. is a American multinational technology company, headquartered in California. It is a multinational corporation, that creates consumer electronics, servers, computers and computer softwares. Apple Inc.is also provides services as digital distributor of media content.It is considered as one of the big Tech Technology companies like; Amazon, Google, Microsoft And Facebook.

COST OBJECTS

IN cost accounting cost object is a term , used to express/ describe something to which the cost is assigned. The main examples for cost objects are : product line, geographical areas, customers etc. for which management assign costs.

- The main cost object of the APPLE Inc. is it's prodcuts and services. It includes cost assigned to development of computing hardwares and softwares, mobile devices, iPads etc. And also allocated to the services like digital distribution of media content.

- Yet another cost object is concerned with it's quality control measures. It includes quality control cost paid/ payable.

ACTIVITIES OF APPLE Inc.

The main activities of APPLE Inc. can be divided in to three as;

1. MOBILE SOFTWARES : One of the signature of company in the late 1960s was on the mobile devices development. Company gave equal importance for mobile development same as it's contribution to computer softwares. Apple always focused on the quality of such devices based on it's ease of use, quality assurance, customer satisfaction needs etc. The iPod evolved in to iPhone by the incorporation of cellular technology, which evolved in to the iPad product.   
2. COMPUTING HARDWARES AND SOFTWARES : One of the main activity constitutes the development of computer hardware and software. The dedication of company to owing the full integrated product has allowed it to mainly focus on quality and usability at the cost of marketshare with it's products of Mac line. At the first stage Apple act as the retailers then at the second level, company applies the maufacturer direct model of selling The products of Mac through it's website. At the last last stage, Apple takes the role of traditional retailers .   
3. iTunes Stores : It is a software based online digital media store operated by the Apple Inc. It was opened on 28th of april 2003. It is a media player, media library, internet radio broad caster and mobile device management utility. As the company's products have expanded from music, then the iPhone stores moved from music to video apps and libraries also.