Apple Inc. has achieved remarkable success over the past 35 years, transforming computers and electronic devices like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad from mere utilities into coveted possessions. Each product in the i-family has revolutionized its genre, prompting competitors to adopt new user guidelines and inspiring the creation of numerous complementary products, such as accessories and docking stations. The iPhone has driven mobile phone manufacturers to integrate touch-sensitive screens, while the iPad is set to fundamentally change how we consume video and news. Since the iPhone's launch, over 200,000 specialized applications, or apps, have been developed for these devices. Each device has caused a paradigm shift, becoming both leading and cult products that have transformed mobile Internet usage, allowing users to surf the web from virtually anywhere. This book explores the phenomenon of 'disruptive technologies,' a rare occurrence in the history of technology and design, examining the preconditions and contextualizing these innovations within product history, society, and psychology. The 'iCosmos' signifies a new approach to information, media, and entertainment. Volker Fischer, an internationally recognized architecture and design historian, has a rich background in museum work and academia, contributing to the discourse on design and innovation.
