4 ms·

Toyota didn't invent the wheel, are they dying now? Apple didn't invent the phone, is the iPhone a flop and will Apple die next? And MS hasn't made anything i

by sen 16y ago

Toyota didn't invent the wheel, are they dying now? Apple didn't invent the phone, is the iPhone a flop and will Apple die next? And MS hasn't made anything in the last few years that is worthy of mentioning? What about Windows 7, love it or hate it, it's the fastest selling OS in history. Inventing something isn't a sign of success. Taking an idea, whether it has already been invented or not, then creating the best (or at least the most popular) iteration of that idea, is what matters. I'm no Microsoft fan-boy (I use Linux, have an Android phone, although I do own and love my Xbox 360 to be fair).. but even I can't deny Microsoft's ability to consistently churn out some pretty amazing products (yes, and their fair share of flops too.. but no-one is immune to that.. Apple Newton anyone?).

tvon 16y ago
Far, far too much emphasis has been put on invention/innovation/originality lately. Doing something well is (generally) more important than doing something new. IMO, anyway.
alanh 16y ago
Those are bad examples that miss the point. • Toyota brought hybrids to market. • Apple elevated cellphones to a completely new level, inventing underlying technology along the way. I consider both to be bold, innovative moves. I think you are defining "invention" far too narrowly. Edit: Name a single completely new "invention" from software industries. Nothing? Then stop being so pedantic.
- sen 16y ago
  I'm talking about his statement that companies that don't "invent", don't last. Toyota didn't "invent" the Hybrid, if anything that's another case that perfectly proves my point.. Toyota took an existing invention, the Hybrid car, and created a brilliant marketable implementation of that pre-existing idea. Apple didn't "invent" the touch screen, multi touch, the cell phone, or any of the other stuff that makes the iPhone such a good phone. It just once again took pre-existing ideas and created a brilliant marketable implementation of the combined ideas into a product that has netted them billions of dollars.

by sen 16y ago

tvon 16y ago

Far, far too much emphasis has been put on invention/innovation/originality lately. Doing something well is (generally) more important than doing something new. IMO, anyway.

alanh 16y ago

Those are bad examples that miss the point. • Toyota brought hybrids to market. • Apple elevated cellphones to a completely new level, inventing underlying technology along the way. I consider both to be bold, innovative moves. I think you are defining "invention" far too narrowly. Edit: Name a single completely new "invention" from software industries. Nothing? Then stop being so pedantic.

sen 16y ago
I'm talking about his statement that companies that don't "invent", don't last. Toyota didn't "invent" the Hybrid, if anything that's another case that perfectly proves my point.. Toyota took an existing invention, the Hybrid car, and created a brilliant marketable implementation of that pre-existing idea. Apple didn't "invent" the touch screen, multi touch, the cell phone, or any of the other stuff that makes the iPhone such a good phone. It just once again took pre-existing ideas and created a brilliant marketable implementation of the combined ideas into a product that has netted them billions of dollars.