“They’re masters of technology and innovation. They’re global thinkers driven by strategic vision. They’re The 2005 Wired 40,” Duff McDonald writes for Wired Magazine (not yet available online).

Last year, Apple Computer was number three on Wired’s list. This year, Apple’s number one.

McDonald writes, “As the world moves toward open standards, the last true believer in closed systems refuses to capitulate. Funny thing: No one is asking Apple to change. That’s because the computermaker turned consumer electronics powerhouse has made a virtue of proprietary control, consistently delivering quality and flair. The company sold 8.2 million iPods in 2004, and iTunes [Music Store] accounted for 70 percent of legal music downloads, leading to exceptional revenue and profit in Q4. With such a foothold in music, can an assault on TV be far behind?”

Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ Pixar is also on the list at #12. IBM is #14, Dell is #16, Intel is #19, and Microsoft is #28.

The Wired Magazine (issue 13.05, May 2005) is on newsstands now.

Related MacDailyNews articles:
The Wired 40: Apple Computer ‘the new face of consumer electronics’ rockets from nowhere to number 3 – May 21, 2004