Hotchilidog
Well-known member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 9,130
You've had thumbsup from me even if I've disagreed! You're sort of right I think, what Apple has done throughout it's history is develop products that no one else could see a market for. Steve Jobs for example, didn't invent the mouse. It was a prototype sat in the development offices of HP where they hadn't a clue what they could use it for. Jobs knew immediately it could be revolutionary with a GUID OS (again something no one really had an interest in developing), coupled with a computer with a built in-screen suitable for home use. None of the technologies were necessarily invented by Apple, but the invention was Apple's to put them all together. Similarily there were MP3 devices before the iPod, but none had the capacity or ease of use of the iPod which revolutionised the market with an existing technology.
So I agree, in revolutionary technology terms, they've not often invented the wheel, but what they have done is made new products that appear to be something we never had but suddenly we can't actually do without - and they've often made them beautifully designed and great objects to own. Sure, competitors produce equally good products, sometimes cheaper, sometimes better, but I've never engaged with that side of the argument really, because the development of technology is good for all of us - you really don't want just one company dominating a marketplace.
That is what engenders the affection I think. I've been using Apple since I wrote many of my University work on a Mac Classic II. It was just cool seeing the head of a computer company presenting new products in jeans and a black roll neck, the whole company seemed to engage with design, culture and the modern world making it exciting in a marketplace that was generally nerdy, geekish and boring.
I'd really recommend the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson. Far from a sycophantic piece, it is really a total revealing of both Jobs and what Apple is all about, both good and bad, and just a great read about someone who had such a massive impact on the world.
Absolutely bang on about the biography, it's a great read and certainly no hagiography. The one thing missing was an explanation for how shit the headphones are given the pursuit of perfection with every other product apple produced. I guess he missed that meeting.