Journal 5, June 7

http://www.technologyreview.com/wire/22762/

At the Wordlwide Developers Conference, analysts, programmers and industry leaders alike are holding their breath on what Apple Inc. will unveil this year. Since the development of the iPod, Apple Inc. has been a trendsetter and industry leader in new innovative technologies with revitalized direction and ingenuity led by CEO Steve Jobs.

Many are predicting new upgrades to the iPhone. The smart phone offering from Apple has had tremendous success. The iPhone has acquired 19.5 percent of the smart phone market and has sold 3.79 million units since market release as reported by the New York Times.

Last year, Apple released the iPhone 3G which has an updated software but users have still asked for more to be included in the iPhone including more storage space, video recording capabilities, and a faster processor. However, since Apple’s offering of a touch-screen phone to the market, many other companies have caught onto the trend with their own touch-screen products for consumers. These include BlackBerry’s Storm, and T-Mobile’s G1, which uses Google’s new Android software.

In essence, although Apple was the first to offer such a comprehensive piece of technology like the iPhone, it is healthy competition for others to enter the market. It will keep Apple on its toes and push the company to continually improve its technology to be a step ahead of its industry competition.

Also, analysts are not only looking at the smart phone innovation but anticipating a “netbook” offering as well from Apple. Currently, netbooks, which are lightweight, mini-laptops have begun to provide an alternative to smart phone purchasers. For as little as $100, a consumer can purchase a netbook and connect to the internet and check emails among various other things. Although Apple has not shown any sign of tackling this new industry, analysts say that the iPhone may evolve into some type of netbook technology as this in the future.

No matter what Apple reveals this week at the Developers Conference, it is certain that the company has proven innovation for close to a decade. It is able to provide consistency with meeting customer wants and needs and has a business model that truly focuses on technological innovation.

Sources:
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/technology/companies/23apple.html


2. https://connect2.uncc.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/,DanaInfo=www.lexisnexis.com+docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T6718893061&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T6718893064&cisb=22_T6718893063&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=332263&docNo=10