And we all know here how much an idea is worth.

tomp · on Dec 17, 2014

In Apple's case - about $200BN or more. Anyone could build an iPhone. The proliferation of other platforms (Android, Windows, Ubuntu, ...) proves it. However, nobody but Steve was thinking out of the box at that time. It was just an idea (with a brilliant execution, admittedly).

talmand · on Dec 18, 2014

I give more credit to Jonathan Ive on restoring Apple's place in the industry than Jobs.

soperj · on Dec 17, 2014

First touchscreen phone was the LG Prada, not the iPhone, fyi.

geoelectric · on Dec 19, 2014

Modern design with multitouch and capacitive screen, perhaps. First touchscreen phone was the IBM Simon in the mid-90s, and my Kyocera 6035 was one of many Palm/phone hybrids that predated LG by years. There were also Symbian and Windows Mobile PDA/phones.

Sonicmouse · on Dec 18, 2014

And it was an amazing phone executed so well that they couldn't keep it on the shelves. /s

Seriously. Are you that dense?

soperj · on Dec 19, 2014

Are you? Where was the thinking outside the box exactly?

kakakiki · on Dec 18, 2014

There are no prizes for doing it first time. But there are prizes for doing it correctly.