they are the only innovative consumer electronics company in the country (and probably the world). The rest of them, Sony, HP, Samsung, (don't even think of mentioning Dell, they are the antithesis of innovation), are so risk averse it is almost impossible for them to create innovative products (as opposed to innovative technology, which those companies do develop).

Technology advances faster than most people want to assimilate it, so the user interface becomes extremely important. You can add a dozen cool new features to your phone, but if they are hard to use, those features won't get used (take note, Nokia). A big difference between Apple and, say Microsoft, is that Apple tries to design what will work for its' customers. Microsoft (and almost every other entrenched company, regardless of the market they are in) prefers to convince their customers they should buy their product. It's a huge difference, and the big reason why Apple gets so much attention.

Who is asking for a "surface" computer? Nobody, really. But that's Microsoft's latest "innovation". Who wants an easier to use mobile phone that plays songs and videos, has a wireless network interface, and effortlessly gets your email and voicemail? Probably a lot of people, which is why the media is all over the iphone.

I don't work for Apple, but do own shares in their company, because they are good at building things that people want to buy (as opposed to getting people to buy what they build).

Did you read the article? One of the author's points is that Apple was behind the curve on at least two of these items, yet were lauded as if they had created them.

Are you talking about the Helio's GPS capability? I don't think that's such a big deal. If it's the video playback capability, yes, others have it, but on tiny little screens with horrible quality.

One feature that the iphone has that most other phones don't and is very important is a wifi interface. Combine that with an OS that will (soon) let developers create open apps, and this can become a phone that will use a free wi-fi network for VoIP phone calls before using the cellular network.

The big thing that Apple brings to the phone is the UI. Gadet lover that I am, I bought Nokia's then-top of the line Internet phone (N80 Internet edition) a few months ago, and when my wife's phone broke, I gave her the N80. After a couple days, she gave it back, she hated it. It is not easy to use (it has a wifi interface, and is very annoying to configure). I also had a Motorola Q, but got rid of that too, I just wanted to scream at the inefficient UI that came courtesy of Microsoft.

I'm not a Mac bigot, but for the less technologically knowledgable (about 95% of the US), Apple's CE products are so much easier to use than everyone else's (I'm one of the 5%). The general public takes a long time assimilating new technology, most companies have no idea how to make it easier. Apple does, and Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and the rest don't.

I think the two biggest negatives for the iPhone are the price and the carrier (a lot of people are going to have to hold their nose if they want to sign up with ATT). I don't get that decision.

What I admire about Apple is this: they were first on the ground with a working PDA but couldn't get people to buy it. it was too clunky, did too many things too confusingly, and had interface problems (handwriting recognition took longer to develop than the engineers had figured it would). Then along came the Palm and it became the dominant player in the PDA niche, because of its simplicity, price and ease of use. Apple actually learned from this experience. If US car manufacturers could learn from equivalent product disasters, they'd be making cars that could really compete with Toyota. When you have a manufacturer that learns from its mistakes and also from its successes (the G4 imac for instance -- I'd be happy if they'd stayed a little longer with that one, not been so eager to move on to the tablet G5), you should applaud, instead of all this whining and sneering. Yes, the ipod is a bit pricey and fragile and yes, Apple's engagement with it was mostly a matter of packaging and final finish, but so what? It's a genius product. I remember all the microserfs yelling at me that fond as I might be of my old mac their crappy machines ruled the world by sheer force of numbers. Now, when Apple rules another slice of that same world by similar numbers, the bullies turn into whiners. What a bore.

It's amazing how your simple point is missed time and time and time again by both the media and other electronic companies.

The fact is this: if you can't figure it out, you can't use it.

This sole fact is the only hope American manufactures have against Asia.

Last time I checked, the market already has easy to use phones that play music, videos, have wireles capabilities, and email options. All Apple is doing is putting a different wrapper on the same candy everyone else has. I do admit though that their marketing department has done an excelent job in promoting the phone. Hence the huge hype for the phone.