Like it or not, Steve Jobs is the reason we pay for the music we get online, have phones ranking high on the cool factor, and have mobile apps. I own an iPod Nano that is about 6 years old and just recently died. My wife owns an iPod Shuffle and so does my daughter. I will be the first to admit Steve Jobs is responsible for the non-Apple devices I do have and the success they have enjoyed. I am speaking specifically about the iPod and iPhone, and the other devices that followed. Also, the Macintosh computer and the PCs that followed. For without the former, the latter of these devices probably would not have enjoyed the success they have had. In no way do I mean Apple's devices play second fiddle. Quite the contrary.
Let's take the Macintosh computer first. It was the first computer designed to be placed in the home and used by people at home. The PC was designed to replace the terminals in the office and made its way to the home because of the success of the Macintosh. The graphical interface of the Macintosh spurred the development of Windows, which good or bad, has become the dominant Operating System. The Macintosh was the first computer in a long line of successful computer designs from Apple that made their way into millions of homes and business across the world.
While Apple never saw the true success they probably deserved in the computer market, they more than made up for it with the invention of the iPod. Digital music players were all over the place and almost all of them had nothing in common with each other outside of playing music. Some had decent interfaces, while others were horrible. Some had an FM radio, while others did not. Some allowed unprotected music files, while others did not. Almost all of them used Windows Media for synchronization or acted as a USB storage device for synchronization.
In 2001 the Apple iPod put an end to dysfunctional interfaces and clumsy controls. With a sleek virtual wheel, a touch button center, a display big enough to read the entire song information, and too much storage to know what to do with buyers lined up to buy the most expensive digital music player on the market. Music players at the time were trying to move toward flash memory, which was rather small at the time, while the iPod was using a real hard drive. They had the technology to protect the hard drive and keep it from skipping when in motion. Many others did not have that capability.
Taking it a step further, Apple setup the iTunes Music store to buy music and put it on your iPod. A one stop shop to select, purchase, and download your music right from the comfort of your own computer. The best part is it was legal. A few years before the iPod, illegal music sharing was rampant and even Dave Chappelle took a shot at it in one of his skits. No one else could touch the iPod and the iTunes music store.
The iPod transformed the digital music player as a whole. Anyone who produced a music player from that point on looked to the iPod for inspiration and technology innovation. Microsoft even tried a failed approach. While it sold decently, its were paled in comparison to the iPod. It was the first time Microsoft was stomped by Apple. Victory goes to Steve Jobs.
The iPod spurred innovation even for Apple by producing the iPhone. The best music player just became a phone. The concept was an immediate hit with a large touch screen and the same smooth iPod interface, again no one could touch it. AT&T owes its current success to the iPhone. The next best phone to try and match the iPhone's success came from Google - Android. The Android system probably would not have enjoyed the same success it has today, because it was immediately compared to the iPhone. Initially, it failed in comparison, but grew to overtake the iPhone in registrations. I think this interesting, because only one phone runs the iPhone OS. The phone has been upgraded and just was released with its 5th generation, while the Android OS runs on dozens of different types of phones. It took dozens to knock off one.
Steve Jobs was responsible for the success of his own company since his return, starting with the iPod in 2001. He was also responsible for the success of dozens of other companies with the development of apps for the iPhone, the creation of competing devices, and even media producers making content for the iPhone - a.k.a. the PodCast.
I don't think I even need to mention the iPad. I need only to mention two companies to confirm superiority there - HP and RIM. If you're wondering why they're being brought up in a tablet discussion, I simply say, "I rest my case".
With the passing of Steve Jobs today we have lost one of the greatest technical visionaries of our time. His ideas have created our digital life as it exists today. Work, life, and play can all coexist together on something that fits in the palm of your hand. There are several choices on how one can have work, life, and play coexist, but it all started with the iPod.
My personal message to Steve Jobs - Your vision is second to none. You pushed others to compete against you to create products challenging yours. You created features and services no one had ever done before forcing them to follow in your path. I was not a follower and owned only a couple of Apple devices. I know that because of the devices, services, and features you created, my devices I do own have tried to match you and come very close to being your match. While I will probably never be considered an Apple guy, I will always know that the devices I do buy have the capabilities and features because of your pioneering vision in technology. Thank you for all you have done for the technology industry. You will be sorely missed. I hope Tim Cook is half the pioneer you were. Rest In Peace.
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