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Apple, pretty much singlehandedly, invented an entire category of computing (the smartphone), and reaped the market rewards for it. They were ready, saw the op
by warcher 10y ago
Apple, pretty much singlehandedly, invented an entire category of computing (the smartphone), and reaped the market rewards for it. They were ready, saw the opportunity, had the business chops to make the most of it, and got fabulously rich in the process. An example of the system working does not mean the system always works. There's been a lot of dirt done over the years.
That's not to say I'm anti-capitalist by any means. I think it's a great economic engine and a tool for great good. That we can never turn our backs on, lest it devour us. ;)
- AstralStorm 10y agoNot quite smartphone per se, but the new big touchscreen phone form.
- craigvn 10y agoYes, Apple didn't invent the smart phone by a long shot. But they were smart enough to know how to make the smart phone consumer friendly, which is where a lot of tech companies fail. Look at PocketPC which proceeded iPhone, not friendly at all. Even my new Android phone is still pretty clunky UI wise compared to the iPhone it replaced.
- pherq 10y agoIt should be noted, the LG Prada predates the original iPhone by about 6 months, with largely the same design (to the degree that LG sued Apple alleging that the design was copied). Apple managed to capture the market, however, whereas LG didn't.
- warcher 10y agoI guess I'd characterize it like Henry Ford inventing the Model T. He was not the first man to make an automobile by any means, but he invented the auto industry. I've used pre iPhone smartphones, and there is a reason they're all dead now and Apple is rich beyond imagination. You don't have to do it first if everybody before you couldn't close the deal.