Steve Jobs and the How of Wow!
Three weeks ago, Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone at the annual Macworld conference. Everyone knew a phone was in the works at Apple; yet Jobs and the Apple developers still managed to exceed the hype.
Apple has perfected the art of perfecting. It didn’t invent the personal computer; it did give us the Macintosh, the first PC with a user-friendly interface. It didn’t invent the MP3 player; it did give us the iPod. And it didn’t invent the cell phone; it will soon give us the iPhone.
How did Apple manage to create a sense of wow! with each of its products?
- Obsession with style. Apple consumer products are works of art that strike a perfect balance of functionality and style. And they come in really cool packaging.
- Revolutionary features. The Macintosh introduced PC users to the graphical user interface, which made the computer much easier and intuitive to use. The click wheel simplified the iPod’s controls. The iPhone features a button-less touch display.
- Ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist. At the right time, Apple managed to elevate the personal computer, MP3 player, and the cell phone to a place they have never been before.
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