DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS
February 21, 2021
by Julianna Rigoglioso
by Julianna Rigoglioso
Let's take a look at the innovation of the iPhone through the lens of diffusion theory.
Steve Jobs created the iPhone and it hit the market in 2007. This handheld computer screen transformed the "mobile phone business, internet economy, and society as a whole. " Steve Jobs created a touch screen mobile device that could make calls and texts while also featuring internet browsing use. In 2021, there are more than 113 million iPhone users in the United States, accounting for about 47% of all smartphone users. And certainly, this number continues to grow each year. The iPhone caught on to society and went widespread due to its convenience and innovative features.
One positive consequence of the creation of the iPhone was that sparked a dramatic change in the economy. Technology and phone companies now try to create their own version of the smartphone to compete with Apple's iPhone. As a result, in 2021, technology businesses are thriving and one of the top money-making industries in the world. Because tech is in such high demand, companies continue to produce more products to gain higher revenue. Companies launch newer and more advanced features each year drawing in the public eye. Now, if all companies compete against each other in a race to wealth and popularity, this ultimately results in better, faster, and more advanced gadgets for society. In 2017, Apple launched its most innovative feature for the iPhone allowing users to unlock their phones using facial recognition. The iPhone outshines all smartphones and Apple has projected the theme that with the advancement of their products, the possibilities are endless. The beautiful design, along with the excellent performance, and high-quality software of the device mesmerizes users. The power it holds over the public is insane. Now, this brings me to the negative consequence of the device.
The public's obsession with the iPhone stems from how convenient it makes completing most professional and personal tasks. Nonetheless, we as a society are becoming more reliant on the device. Now I believe things in moderation are fine. Although, staring at a screen for hours and hours a day simply isn't the best way to treat your brain. Studies have shown that too much screen time can lead to retina damage and even sleep deprivation. This is the main reason why some people choose to not adopt this new version of the cell phone. They witnessed their children slowly becoming more and more addicted to the device and didn't want the same thing to happen to them, especially as an adult. As for late adopters, like my parents, they waited long before purchasing their first iPhone because they didn't see the need for it, nor did they want to become reliant on it either. My dad enjoys keeping his files in Manila folders, responding to emails from his work computer, and reading news from the paper each morning. He says that "I don't like to mix work and play, I'll get too used to it. My phone is strictly used as a cellular device." He has a point, the iPhone merges all aspects of our lives into one device–hence its convenience. Additionally, late adopters— and those who chose not to adopt it at all—were more concerned about how it was too advanced for their knowledge. Nonetheless, Gen Z and Millenials were the early adopters in which they were quick to purchase the device as soon as it hit the market because they understood the concept of technology through the use of computers. After all, isn't the iPhone just a smaller version of the computer that can make calls and texts? For someone who isn't technologically savvy, adopting this innovative piece could cause more stress than just sticking with their blackberry or flip phone.
iPhone's ultimately acted as a vehicle to the innovation of social media platforms as well—which is a positive consequence... right? This again, resulting in more companies, businesses, and industries earning an even higher revenue, which is great for the economy. Nonetheless, because these devices are addicting to society, private social media companies, like Facebook, abuse this concept to their advantage. Facebook sells and stores our personal data on our iPhones; acting as if we human beings are computer codes.
Now, do you like your iPhone? Do you like having everything you need on one screen, all in one place? Documents, pictures, the internet, contacts, conversations all on your small, 6-inch screen. However, do you like how private tech companies have all your information: passwords, search engine data, pictures, fingerprints, facial recognition? Do you feel like you are monitored on social media through your iPhone? This is the ultimate downside to these technological advances and innovations: the lack of privacy and ethics.
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