Apple's New iPhone Suddenly Takes Shape. Here's The Lesson You Can Take From It - Forbes

I previously wrote about the secrets of the top 1% of business thinkers. Today, I reveal how Apple has been planning a folding phone since 2011, using this level of thinking.

iPhone X Fold concept designFOLDABLE NEWS

Thinking Ahead

In the past, Apple has demonstrated macro level thinking. It can look ahead, see the competitive landscape and build for that future.

Apple has been planning a folding device for a long time. It filed a patent application for such a device in 2011 and was granted a patent for it in 2014.

Apple Is Already In The Foldables Market

Recent working foldable phone demonstrations included Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s folding Mate X.

Meanwhile, Apple filed a continuation to its existing patent for a foldable phone, on February 14^th. This was not a brand-new patent application, but a continuation. It’s an update to an original invention (in this case, to Apple's earlier mentioned applications and patents).

The newer patent reveals structural details of its folding phone, and Foldable News asked designer Roy Gilseng what he thought a foldable iPhone would look like.

Gilseng came up with some interesting concept images. One of them even included a horizontal-style keyboard.

Patents Are A Leading Indicator

You can view filed patents to learn how a company is thinking today, for the future. For example, in the earlier smartphone patent applications, Apple mention their patent is for ‘an illustrative electronic device’ with a flexible display.

This can actually apply to a range of devices like laptops and tablets, not just phones. It shows that Apple has been thinking about the applications of a flexible display to innovate across an entire group of different products and not just smartphones.

Folding iPhone X concept design with horizontal-style keyboardFOLDABLE NEWS

How Does This Show Top 1% Thinking?

You may have read that the top 1% business thinkers practice Ratio of Accurate Results (ROAR) Thinking. This lets you maximize the impact from every action taken.

In Apple’s case, it is well aware of OLED screens that can bend unlike more traditional LED screens. When filing its patents, Apple makes clear that they plan to use this in a wider range of products than just smartphones.

That way, they still have multiple profitable paths forward, when they meet a company with a strong competitive advantage.

Samsung Holds The Cards

Samsung has a manufacturing advantage over Apple because they make their own screens. In fact, for almost a year after the iPhone X was introduced, Samsung manufactured 100% of Apple’s OLED displays too.

In a case like this, Apple needs to think on a macro level so they can still generate more revenue and win in business. So far, they are succeeding, but for how much longer, only time will tell.

How can you use the micro/macro concept to win in business?

__________

Follow Michael on Twitter and Facebook

 

More Business Growth Articles On Forbes

The Business Secret Of The Top 1%: They Never Think Like This

Do Apple's Leadership Changes Mean It's Preparing For A Post-iPhone Future?

How To Influence More People And Make More Sales

How To Build A Multimillion Dollar Business Based On One Simple Rule Of Bridges

Samsung Might Have A Folding Phone. But This Apple Tactic Reveals Where The Money Is

1 Cruel & Belief-Shaking Twist That Most Business Owners Never Learn

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelmaven/2019/02/25/apples-new-iphone-suddenly-takes-shape-heres-the-lesson-you-can-take-from-it/

Bagikan Berita Ini