NeXT was a computer platform developed by NeXT, Inc., founded by Steve Jobs in 1985 after he left Apple. The company aimed to create high-performance workstations for higher education and business markets. NeXT computers were known for their advanced software development tools and the use of the NeXTSTEP operating system, which later influenced the development of macOS. In 1997, Apple acquired NeXT for its technology and to bring Jobs back to the company. This acquisition led to the integration of NeXTSTEP into Apple's software ecosystem, ultimately shaping the future of Apple's operating systems and products.