The iPhone: A Technology Disruptor In early 2007, after 30 years as a computer company, Apple Computers, Ine became Apple, Inc., dropping Computer from the company time. 114 Apple would still make computers, but with the introduction of the iPhone, Apple became more than just a computer company. The iPhone which further developed the iPod by merging it with a cell phone, was about to disrupt the entire personal computing industry. The introduction of the iPhone clearly threatened the smartphones on the market at the time, however, the iPhone's impact ultimately was broader than anyone could have predicted. Essentially, the iPhone was a game changer, creating a new mobile computing market. The iPhone initially competed with smartphones such as the BlackBerry and it was immediately sticcessful because it was a better product. However, the iPhone moved on to create competition in the laptop computer market due to a key feature, a new way to access the Internet. Far casier and more convenient than the laptop, the iPhone connected users to the Internet on the go with easy, touchscreen technology. Ultimately the iPhone was the catalyst for a new mobile computing market as the product merged cellphone and Internet services into a single device. Within a year of the launch of the iPhone, there were 5.4 million users, and developers created more than 17.000 web applications now known as "apps." This new app market changed the way we look at software. Instead of software created by a small number of large sottware development companies, the evolution of the app created a new mini- economy of software developers. This new market led to a new group of entrepreneurs creating businesses around mobile applications. Before the iPhone, companies such as Twitter and Snapchat could not have cristedThe introduction of apps allowed consumers to create a customized product with their iPhone as users could download apps based on their own needs and preferences The demand for customization and easy access led technology companies to respond, essentially shifting the direction of the personal computing industry. The iPhone led to the development of the iPad and the entire tablet market. The laptop market also responded by integrating the features that consumers prefer, including the ability to install apps and touchscreen access. The iPhone created a disruption in the technology world through its innovative business model that created a new market for access to the Internet. App developers and phone users were connected and the impact shifted not only the cellphone industry, but also challenged the laptop market Apple isn't finished yet With the company's innovations, the mobile computing market continues to evolve, most recently with the introduction of the Apple Watch What's next? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS QI: Are you surprised about the impact that the iPhone has had on the technology marketplace? Why or why not? 02: Why is the iPhone considered a disruptive innovation? 03: Apple is known as an innovative company. Why do you think Apple has been able to stimulate inovation Successfully