Question

Use any of the innovation theory below to analyse and explain why iPhone 1st generation 2007 was successful

(Innovation Theories : S-curves, dominant design, punctuated equillibrium, absorptive capacity)

Answer 1

A dominant design is a concept of committing to be superior in the marketplace and the one that an organization(the innovator) must stick to in order to become a leader in the market. In this concept of innovation, innovator launches the product which is very unique in the existing market or it has not seen by the consumers. When consumers don't have any idea about how the product will look like, its very difficult to differentiate between the good and the bad versions of the product. This concept of dominant design has a major role in the success of iPhone 1st generation which was launched in 2007 which reminds us the famous quote from Steve Job, "People don’t know what they want until you show it to them."

After launce of iPhone 1st generation in 2007, it could be described as a combination of Apple's iPod and a smart phone design. It had functionality of a smart phone, a portable music player, gaming control and a handy computer in single device which was very important for the consumer who doesn't want to carry multiple devices for multiple purposes. The most innovative feature of iPhone 1st generation was 3.5 inches touch sensitive screen which can be utilize to make calls, browse their music library, connect to the web, write messages and emails on the virtual onscreen keypad and it was very popular as a device of single physical button. Also, the quality of touch sceen used was very good and it never received a single scratch during the vigorous screen testing. It was very important feature for early majority customers because plastic screens used at that time were easily scratched. Attracting design of the phone has a major role in the success of the iPhone 1st generation which forced competitors to rethink and redesign their smart phones.

Also, Apple Brand name and big success of iPod really made a seamless entry of iPhone into cell phone market which ward off all the potential threats to the company from its competitors. In addition to this, iPhone customers had to committ to a two-year wireless agreement with AT&T Inc. to make calls or use the phone’s other features which enabled Apple that it doesn't have to deal with the network problems and customer complaints and made them to focus on their core competencies of hardware and software by which they remained the innovator in the smart phone market.