My point is this: What other mp3 player could you have achieved that with as a complete newbie? Anyone can learn to use an iPod in minutes. This is the reason they sell by the truck load, no complicated instructions or steep learning curve required!

Apples’ iPhone will be the same. Everyone who is lucky enough to own one will know how to use all it’s features, which I’ll bet cannot be said for the latest ‘other-brand’ smartphones.

Most music devices employ very similar UI elements, including the iPod. I personally feel that they aren’t that most of them aren’t much more different on the base level of playing and transfering music. What Apple’s competitors don’t get is that aesthetics and emotion factored itself into the success of the iPod.

Form Factor aka Bling: Apple’s designers took their cues from mid-century modern furniture design as well as haute couture (fashion); the past and present design of the iPod line is very timeless. Use of materials and the tactile quality of the iPod don’t feel “cheap”. Plus fashionably, it can be accessorized with pretty much most outfits.

Cool Factor: Apple went all out with their advertising with some of the most memorable TV and print ads. It helped to establish Apple as a lifestyles brand akin to Nike, Coke, and Louis Vuitton and not a stuffy technology company. People relate to products if they can visualize how it makes their life better not what it could potentially do. Also, influencers (public figures like celebrities or respected sources) helped to proliferate the iPod’s demand; it’s not uncommon for companies to “gift” products to an influencer to passively advertise their products when they are in the public eye.

Some tech companies are starting to understand that design and user experience are very important because of how it effected the rebirth of Apple, but they are unfortunately too afraid to do things that aren’t already supported by pre-existing facts and figures, and/or in a lot of cases, managed by people who lack a sense of creativity and imagination plus empathy for the consumer experience.

This happens to be a designer’s point of view with experience working for two well-known Seattle area companies (you can guess who one of them is), so take it for what it’s worth.

Both Apple and Nintendo have begun to ‘get’ it. And they’ve generated a buzz which we haven’t seen for years. AND, they’ve both done it with remarkably conservative products (in HCI terms) – a sensible approach, if you will. Someone once told me that it takes about 15-20 years for UI research to make its way into actual products, and that seems about right! But, hey, I’m very happy that they’ve finally taken the plunge – maybe the rest of us weren’t ready until now…

Hi Thomas, my name is José Félix Scott, I have just finished reading
your article on the reaction of the Electronic Industry towards the
iPhone and I think it’s perfect, it’s all I think but better written.
That’s why I’m contacting you, to ask for your permission to translate
(in spanish) and publish the article in my blog.
(www.blogueandito.com) I would obviously give you credit for it, and
link to the original, never be presented as mine, and also with a
disclaimer about the translation.

I want to do this because if I write a new one, it would basically be
the same article but in a different language. So what do you say?

You can check out my blog at http://www.blogueandito.com. And write me back
whatever your decision is. Oh and I’m José Félix Scott, Venezuelan
studying in Spain, but most of my readers are from my home country,
just so you know.

Cheers.
JFS

I wrote something similar ( http://tinyurl.com/yvdpax ) within hours of the keynote. It’s not the features, it’s the user experience. Really frustrating that many people still don’t get it.

Apple said that they’re “revolutionizing” the cell phone and the industry.

If forcing a 2 year contract while eliminating hardware subsidy is what they consider revolutionary, they’re deluding themselves.

If I’m going to agree to pay a provider $1000 or more for a 2 year contract, they need to offer me something in return.

Artificial scarcity {exclusive distribution through Cingular}is not compelling enough and is a false-value proposition.

Now if Apple would have offered the iPhone unlocked, unbranded, and ready to go on any GSM network, that would have been revolutionary.

If the iPhone used VoIP GSM and could pass calls between cell networks and WiFi automatically, that would be revolutionary.

If the iPhone came with a Skype-in phone number, and only used EDGE/WiFi data access to make calls, bypassing the reliance on the carrier’s system, that would be revolutionary. Then all you’d need is raw data access whoever can get it to you the cheapest.

If the iPhone had a built in voicemail on the handset, so you could use visual voicemail without network support, that would be revolutionary.

I like the iPhone, and might get one someday {needs GPS and 3G} but I will not be seduced into a contract without consideration for my part of that contract’s deal, the $1000 .

Do other companies have something to learn from the actual hardware itself? absolutely..other smart phones are terrible…but the casual electronics user has voted many many time against the electonic swiss army knife, only businessmen will want this…and they will stick with their smart phones.

I work for Apple actually, The call center in Real Crap Manager I sort all the calls and they suck.

LOL

PS Would you like to write for my site opening in two weeks http://www.superbigtech.com thanks.