Live data from Hacker News

iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

mashable.com

11–19 of 19 posts

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#11

I would have said 6 or 7 if asked. It seems like a lot has happened in that 5 years. The thing that strikes me about the iPhone, and everyone has their own thing, is this contradiction. For me upon it's release it was so revolutionary. It was such a massive monumental change from its closest rival (Blackberry) in the way it looked, felt and worked. Since that time though, it really has done some small iterations and…

For me, it has everything to do with avoiding pain points on the consumers end. Keeping a consistant design/feel means Apple doesn't have to teach consumers new skills. Other platforms have to differentiate with size, shape, and OS. Each one requeres a transitional learning period.

Take siri for example. Apple is running a ton of celebrity ads just to show people how to use it, because siri is too different for the average person. Luckily for Apple, its just a feature, not the core product. Just like a new Android device, people will get used to siri eventually. The difference is the iPhone consistency makes the essential phone experience seamless.

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#12
post #11

I would have said 6 or 7 if asked. It seems like a lot has happened in that 5 years. The thing that strikes me about the iPhone, and everyone has their own thing, is this contradiction. For me upon it's release it was so revolutionary. It was such a massive monumental change from its closest rival (Blackberry) in the way it looked, felt and worked. Since that time though, it really has done some small iterations and…

For me, it has everything to do with avoiding pain points on the consumers end. Keeping a consistant design/feel means Apple doesn't have to teach consumers new skills. Other platforms have to differentiate with size, shape, and OS. Each one requeres a transitional learning period. Take siri for example. Apple is running a ton of celebrity ads just to show people how to use it, because siri is too different for the a…

One of the big things that Apple got amazingly right was the App Store install process. From a Linux perspective it's mostly an evolution, but for the mainstream customer that has had to deal with Windows installers it's unreal how easy it is.

I saw this link in one of the comments in the microsoft.com design preview post:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2008/06/24/full-text-an-...

Contrast that to how easy it is to install something on iOS. It's little wonder that people don't mind paying for iOS apps - they're easy and cheap.

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#13
post #12
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, it has everything to do with avoiding pain points on the consumers end. Keeping a consistant design/feel means Apple doesn't have to teach consumers new skills. Other platforms have to differentiate with size, shape, and OS. Each one requeres a transitional learning period. Take siri for example. Apple is running a ton of celebrity ads just to show people how to use it, because siri is too different for the a…

One of the big things that Apple got amazingly right was the App Store install process. From a Linux perspective it's mostly an evolution, but for the mainstream customer that has had to deal with Windows installers it's unreal how easy it is. I saw this link in one of the comments in the microsoft.com design preview post: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2008/06/24/full-text-an-... Contrast that to how easy it is…

Cell phone operators had "java stores" that were just as easy to operate (and would even just show up on your monthly bill, so no credit card needed). It's just the iPhone was the first platform good enough that people wanted to buy apps for.

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#14

I would have said 6 or 7 if asked. It seems like a lot has happened in that 5 years. The thing that strikes me about the iPhone, and everyone has their own thing, is this contradiction. For me upon it's release it was so revolutionary. It was such a massive monumental change from its closest rival (Blackberry) in the way it looked, felt and worked. Since that time though, it really has done some small iterations and…

Isn't that typical with innovation? One big jump, then a whole lot of refining small steps before someone makes another big jump.

Or are you expecting big jump after big jump?

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#16
post #12
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, it has everything to do with avoiding pain points on the consumers end. Keeping a consistant design/feel means Apple doesn't have to teach consumers new skills. Other platforms have to differentiate with size, shape, and OS. Each one requeres a transitional learning period. Take siri for example. Apple is running a ton of celebrity ads just to show people how to use it, because siri is too different for the a…

One of the big things that Apple got amazingly right was the App Store install process. From a Linux perspective it's mostly an evolution, but for the mainstream customer that has had to deal with Windows installers it's unreal how easy it is. I saw this link in one of the comments in the microsoft.com design preview post: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2008/06/24/full-text-an-... Contrast that to how easy it is…

It's worth pointing out that the app store is one of the things apple didn't get right 5 years ago. It came later, after they'd spent almost a year claiming that the proper software extension mechanism was web apps. Obviously that doesn't detract from its success, but I think it's an important part of history. The app ecosystem that we all associate with "iOS" beat Android to market by only about 6 months.

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#18
post #15

Waited in line for it the day it was released and still carry a first-gen in my pocket everyday. An amazingly solid piece of hardware. I know I'm missing out on new features, but I can't help wondering just how long it will go for.

I wish they'd do a new aluminium-based design. My mom's still using my old ('08?) Nokia E71 that also has a metal body, and it barely looks a day old (not just wrt wear, if it weren't for the keyboard you'd never know it was made four years ago). My Nexus doesn't feel anywhere near as solid, and I've seen way too many iPhone 4s with cracked glass (and the 3G design gets messed up _way_ too easily). A new Al-based iPhone 5 might tempt me over (doubting it, thanks to the NFC rumors)

Re: iPhone: The 5-Year-Old That Changed the World

#19
post #16
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the big things that Apple got amazingly right was the App Store install process. From a Linux perspective it's mostly an evolution, but for the mainstream customer that has had to deal with Windows installers it's unreal how easy it is. I saw this link in one of the comments in the microsoft.com design preview post: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2008/06/24/full-text-an-... Contrast that to how easy it is…

It's worth pointing out that the app store is one of the things apple didn't get right 5 years ago. It came later, after they'd spent almost a year claiming that the proper software extension mechanism was web apps. Obviously that doesn't detract from its success, but I think it's an important part of history. The app ecosystem that we all associate with "iOS" beat Android to market by only about 6 months.

Yet 6 months was apparently enough - Apple's Appstore is still ahead.
Post reply on HN