Apple's iPhone: Invention of the Year?

Time Magazine just crowned the Apple iPhone, "The Invention of the Year" (why? read the article - it's quite interesting) and the tech world is in an uproar: "Since when did Apple invent the cellphone?!" "But it only works with AT&T!" blah blah blah.

No, Apple didn't invent all the technology in the iPhone (though the stable Mac OS X is at the heart of it). But Henry Ford didn't invent all the parts in a car, either. Yet he was the first to combine them all in an attractive, accessible, fun package. (Who remembers the steering wheel inventor?) So today, he is the one credited for inventing the car. And his "invention" changed the world.

The iPhone is a testament to the power of great composition and design. Sure, a Blackberry may download your email faster. But there's not one ounce of aesthetic delight or fun in it. It's just another tool. The iPhone is a tool AND a toy AND a fashion accessory. And that's a tough combo to beat.

Beautiful design speaks to the soul. It bypasses your best reasoning functions. You fall for it time and again. Good design pays for itself 100 times over, because it delivers a shot of pure earthly satisfaction. And who can resist that?