Comments on: 'Time' names iPhone 'invention of the year'

Apparently, nothing really important was invented this year in biology, space travel, health care, personal safety, economics, nuclear research, disease control, or transportation.

[abrahammay]

Typical CNET Bias

"We're a technology publication, and were we to pick a tech product of 2007, the iPhone would definitely wind up as one of the final three choices and would probably win. But Invention of the Year?"
You would not say that if it was a Microsoft product - I'm sure - Mickey mouse journalism.

[Tom Krazit]

Do you disagree?

What other product this year had the impact that the iPhone has had? That doesn't mean it was the single-most important thing invented in the world in 2007, but it was certainly one of the most important technology products released this year.

[Draxon]

obviously they wouldn't

If it was a microsoft product it would crash all the time, spread virus's like crazy, only let you play a song three times till you give the RIAA more money.

But hey it would allow 3rd party apps, 3rd party virus's, 3rd party trojans, 3rd party spyware.

L:ets not forget micosofts wonderful activation "features" lol but your right if it was a microsoft product it wouldn't be considered for any of those awards.

[~Canuck~]

That's because....

I don't think CNet would have any problem naming a Microsoft product as a tech product of the year. Let's see what they have:

Vista- The most reviled OS upgrade yet unleashed on man. Kind of a disappointment.
Zune- The iPod killer that wasn't. Zune 2 looks weak in comparison with a more full-bodied iPod line.
Office- Microsoft's "killer-app," it's fast, powerful, easier-to-use and better looking.
Windows Mobile 6- AKA Mobile 5.5, not exactly a phenomenal upgrade.
Xbox 360- Red Ring of Death, anyone? Although it's pounding the PS3, and Halo 3 was a great game, the Games Division is still having some trouble.

While Office and the Xbox/Halo are both good, are they invention of the year material? Nope. Microsoft's "iPhone" are any of the phones that run its OS, and the only wannabes out there right now can't match the iPhone. I'm actually pretty sure CNet wouldn't choose a Microsoft product at all.

[there can be only one]

Sure they say stuff about Microsoft...

But Microsoft makes Mickey Mouse products.
Deal with it.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Bias towards... what?

I see people state that it's quite obvious that CNET is very plainly biased in their news coverage towards:

Apple
Microsoft
Google
Cheddar Cheese

I find it silly because it doesn't matter what the topic is, someone will claim CNET is biased against it because they might find their choice of hardware or OS to be criticized. I have seen articles pretty balanced across the spectrum, both pro and con over time.

But with all that said, I do have to say that their cheddar cheese bias is pretty mousey at best.

[huddie klein]

Bias???

Why is that every time CNet publishes siomething on Apple
someone has to come up with this 'the're against Apple' thing? I
love my mac too, but I never noticed this!

Anyway, I would not call a new phone an invention either. It's
more of an evolution I think. But that probably is not what Time
is about. I do totally agree with them that it' s agreat product,
and I think that Steve deserves some credit for not letting apple
build a cellphone before they could actually do it in the way he
wanted it: totally different from all other phones.

[close5828]

iPhone Unlocker = The "True" IOTY

While Apple has yet to impress me, I think the 'invention of the year' should go to those who made the iPhone unlocking hack.

I think this is truly (as the previous poster said) 'Mickey Mouse Journalism'.

[proadventurer]

To all who hate the iPhone and for all their reasons:

ha ha ha ha!

[Renegade Knight]

You think that's vindication?

It still doesn't do the job I need a smart phone to do.

It's best attribute is that it's prodding all the other companies into action. That's a good thing.

When Apple puts some "smart" into that phone, then maybe...when it's unlocked.

[technewsjunkie]

Ditto!

Well said.

[Manhattan2]

Look for the Seeing Aid to win this sward next year!

A technology that will help millions become more mobile and aware of their surroundings. Keep an eye out for articles about the "Seeing Aid"
We all invented an Iphone type device 10 - 20 years ago. Nothing new.

[Yordys]

Bah! Pocket PC Phone has been out for years now

I'm always leery about what "Time" considers "of the year".
Maybe if the iPhone actually provided something "New" in function. I'll bet there are a substantial number of actual inventions, just in the "Green" tech market alone.

[audionet1]

RE: Bah! Pocket PC Phone has been out for years now

No other pocket PC has had multi-touch technology or been as
thin and light as the iPhone, let alone boast an attractive interface
(software and form factor). Someone else said because it utilizes
existing technologies such as a phone, a portable music player,
web browser, etc. that it doesn't qualify as an invention... I
disagree. The definition of an invention is a creation or design that
has never before existed. I don't recall a pocket-sized, cellular and
wi-fi enabled, video and music playback capable, multi-touch
input device ever previously existing. Do you?

[phrelin]

Invention?

Here's my geezerness showing. The transister was an "invention." The transister radio was a design achievement, but not an "invention." The iPhone is a design achievement - using and improving on parts others invented.

[Andronicus]

Agreed. I-Phone is not an Invention

An invention has to be something new. The I-phone is at best an upgrade to the earlyer smart phones.

[starcannon]

Time needs to fire its editor

First this is not an invention, its a compounding of existing devices.

Second, Apple didn't even do it first.

Third, its not even the best at achieving this all-in-one approach to mobile devices.

Apple should get "Advertising Campaign of the Year" though, and that in itself is actually a fairly nice award. Selling a product is all about advertising, and when you can hawk iPhones like Apple has, thats saying something about your marketing department, and especially so when its something as lack luster as an iPhone.

[technewsjunkie]

Apple hardly advertised iPhone

It did however get a lot of Press.

As far as "firing the editor", why? Because they disagree with you?
Who cares what you think.

[Groucho6]

Ah the hypocrisy

Someone please explain to me why any Apple success has to be
begrudgingly reported, criticized, and belittled? Strange, but I don't see
you reporting Microsoft accomplishments this way. Hmm. Perhaps Steve
"Monkey Dance" Ballmer and Company pay you more advertising dollars?
Or is it just that you're all afraid of what Redmond will think if you dare
simply report an Apple product, award or whatever with the dispassion
normally required of journalists?

[enter name here]

Great? Invention? Apple?

What the? The iPhone was great. But the greatest invention of the year implies that the iPhone is an invention, which is certainly wrong. The cell phone itself was an invention, the iPhone was the combination of a phone, a music player, and several other things all wrapped up in the greatest marketing campaign of all time. So, in reality, the only "invention" here was that the iPhone was an invention.

[vegamanfraud]

Yes: A Great Invention.

Here is the definition of "invention," from Websters:

An invention is an object, process, or technique which displays
an element of novelty. An invention may sometimes be based on
earlier developments, collaborations or ideas, and the process of
invention requires at least the awareness that an existing
concept or method can be modified or transformed into an
invention.

Notice the part that says an invention may be based on "earlier
developments?"

The iPhone's user interface is a true invention.

Use one, and you will understand

[zigra74]

Duh! It's obvious iPhone is the BEST invention!

You iphone haters need to get with the times. The dark ages of science are over! No more willy nilly inventions like penicillin, subatomic colliders, or mapping the human genome. Science is finally refined to it's perfect state: Making useless overpriced **** so we can look cool while ignoring the silly things like global warming, the rise of antibiotic-resistant diseases, and human genocide in non-ipod-enabled countries.

[TowerTone]

So Full Of....

So I guess you are in a field working on one, if not all, of these
problems? More than likely, you are just in left-field.

Was the TV a great invention? Well, yes and no. But its impact on
society is obvious. The iPhone will not have that impact, but it is
the most incredible piece of technology that I have ever bought.

[country1205]

Fools !!!!

Not much else to say that could describe this decision.

[GSRich78]

I'm still waiting...

For a video iphone that is. A cell phone that I can actually see the other person I'm talking to. Now that would be the invention of the century!

[Sniche]

Poor Tom at it again

If your so smart tell us what you think should the' Invention of the
Year'. you always love mocking other writers don't you.
you cannot let Apple have any credit, if it was M$, it would be
different

[J.G.]

iPhone deserves award

It is the invention (meaning an object, not a scientific discovery) of the year. Nothing else that was released in 2007 will have equivalent impact on the consumer market. Time is a general audience publication, so I think it right Time focus on things that of interest to the masses.

[crue24]

It's right on...

For those arguing that it isn't an invention, last year it was
"you". Were people invented last year? Not exactly, so stop
being so literal about the term.

Yes smart phones have been out and there are phones that do
more. The difference is the simplicity, they are bringing it more
mass market. Sure plenty of ppl have smart phones, but unless
they're technical, they primarily use only a few functions: phone,
email, text, camera. Most don't even bother with the internet
because it is so limited on the average smart phone.

The iPhone is going to get consumers acting differently. It's web
experience, although slow, is 1,000 times better and the other
features are much simpler to use as well. That means people
will use them. That's what makes this product a game changer.
I am a fan of Apple's products and an iPhone owner, but I don't
think the iPhone is going to dominate the industry..actually I
think that's a little ridiculous, but it changes the whole game.
The big guys, Moto and Nokia, etc. are going to have to step
things up big time, because there is now going to be a demand
that never existed before. The iPhone is getting REGULAR
CONSUMERS, not the geeks, to use and expect advanced
features that are simple to use. It is creating a new dynamic and
demand for the palm top computer because it is causing mass
market demand instead of business and geek user demand. A
few years from now, there will be no phone or smart phone.
They will truly be one and the same.

The iPhone is the product that created that demand and it's why
it was named "Invention of the Year". And for us geeks that
have had a smart phone for the past 3-5 years, it means cooler,
more powerful products coming soon!

[crue24]

one more thing....

Before anyone corrects me and says that the big guys already have
better technology in other countries than the devices they sell
here...I know that. The problem was in part the carriers and the
perceived demand in the US. Apple changed the demand in the
US. Since we live here, that's what matters, the products that are
here...

[john55440]

Sales Figures...

To put iPhone sales figures into perspective:

Last quarter alone, Nokia sold 111.7 million phones. Even fifth ranked LG Electronics sold 21.9 million phones.

[vegamanfraud]

And Your Point is?

How does this even closely relate to the point of this forum?

Like to throw stones, huh?

[lonestarState]

Invention of the Year?

What really did Apple invent? A nice OS for a Mobile Phone? Wow that is so great! Time magazine is what it is "another advertisement" medium for Apple and Google. Did I mention Apple or Google? Google or Apple? I wonder what Time magazine's second choice was? Possibly Google Apps... What a joke! Time magazine should be renamed: "The Apple Google Chronicles". Freaking Sellouts!

[paperjohns]

Better invention than microsoft

Of all this time, what did Microsoft invented. I use Google apps and Apple i-phone all the time. Can microsoft put their internet explorer in a mobile phone and let it function this good? No. Microsoft Mobile OS is slow and cumbersome to use too. I have waited a long long time to get my hand on a phone this good. Google applications allow me to work any where, any time, and at any computers. THIS IS a very powerful and disruptive application. Can Microsoft do this?? NO. AND IT IS FREE TOO.

[TechnoFreako]

Invention of the Year

People the cell phone is nothing new, we all knew that some one would make something like the iphone it was just a matter of time and money. Congrats to apple, I agree that the iphone is awesome, there is no doubt about it that it is cool. But people, its not like its curing cancer or anything. Maybe Times should have named it best improvement.

[technewsjunkie]

Apple doesn't lock iPhone - THE CARRIERS DO

Quit blaming Apple.

Sooner or later the CARRIERS are going to have to "unlock" phones.
The move is on...

[DrtyDogg]

Check again

http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9783713-37.html?tag=bl

[WJeansonne]

What a Joke! Time who?

My family cancelled their subscriptions to that liberal rag long ago. Who cares what Time thinks and the iPhone is no marvel of invention or technology. Maybe innovation, but certainly not invention. Touch screen tech has been out for years on Pocket PCs that are mobile phones.

[vegamanfraud]

Pocket PC Touch Screen Not Close

Sorry, But the touch screens on the relics you mention are not even
in the same reality as the MULTI-Touch Screen on the iPhone.

It is like comparing a mouse to a digital pen-based tablet for fine
art illlustration.

Let me repeat: Pocket PC Touch Screens are not even close to the
touch screen on the iPhone. Use one and you will understand.