NeXT, Inc. was a computer platform development company founded by Steve Jobs in 1985 after he left Apple Inc.. The company focused on creating high-end workstations for higher education and business markets, utilizing advanced technology and a unique operating system called NeXTSTEP. In 1997, Apple acquired NeXT for its software, which later became the foundation for macOS and iOS. NeXT's innovative approach to software development and its emphasis on object-oriented programming significantly influenced modern computing and software design.