Technology innovation requires solving hard technical problems, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, yes. And no. As the Apple Macintosh turns 40, what began as Apple prioritizing the squishy concept of \u201cuser experience\u201d in its 1984 flagship product is, today, clearly vindicated by its blockbuster products since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It turns out that designing for usability, efficiency, accessibility, elegance and delight pays off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple\u2019s market capitalization is now over US$2.8 trillion, and its brand is every bit associated with the term \u201cdesign\u201d as the best New York or Milan fashion houses are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple turned technology into fashion, and it did it through user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It began with the Macintosh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Apple announced the Macintosh personal computer with a Super Bowl XVIII\u00a0television ad<\/a>\u00a0on Jan. 22, 1984, it more resembled a movie premiere than a technology release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The commercial was, in fact, directed by filmmaker Ridley Scott. That\u2019s because founder Steve Jobs knew he was not selling just computing power, storage or a desktop publishing solution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather, Jobs was selling a product for human beings to use, one to be taken into their homes and integrated into their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n