Almost a year and Apple still the champ

I was just observing post CTIA that it has almost been a year since the iPhone release and I still haven't seen any device that is better then the iPhone. Apple needs to get a lot of credit for being SO far ahead of the curve. I feel like this is in part due to the mobile industry first and foremost underestimating Apple and second because for quite some time there has been a lack of innovation in the mobile industry.

I recall having some conversations with friends/colleagues of mine who are close to the wireless industry. They affirmed my observation that the operators underestimated Apple. They felt for sure the iPhone would not be as revolutionary as it turned out to be. Suffice it to say when the iPhone was released mass panic hit the other operators who were in instant search of a device that could compete.

Here we are almost a year later and still nothing comes close to the iPhone experience. Now in a few month's Apple will release its version 2 of the software and potentially a 3G iPhone. I have been privileged to, under NDA, see some of the upcoming devices and feel that toward the end of the 08 year we may see some things that offer equally compelling mobile experiences.

The biggest challenge however is that Apple does not stand still and has established itself as one of, if not THE, most innovative consumer products company in the market.