The Apple Ecosystem
In a fine Businessweek article exploring the difficulties competitors face in trying to compete with Apple, writer Sohrab Vossoughi defines the Apple ecosystem:
Surrounding a successful product like the iPod is a complete ecosystem that includes content and services, software and interfaces, retail experience, Web site experience, and an army of accessories.
He adds a great analogy:
Imagine competing with NASA by designing a better space shuttle—but ignoring the launch pad, ground control in Houston, or the facilities at Cape Canaveral. Apple is successful because all of the elements of its ecosystem are in place—and are consistently meaningful and relevant to its target consumers.
And ties it all in to the Apple brand:
In the hands of an artful company like Apple, design is the vehicle for driving meaningful, relevant experiences that are authentic to the brand. It’s not about paring product lines or making cool stuff. Done right, design can add value to the bottom line and the brand. Design done right goes beyond the appearance and behavior of the object itself. It takes the entire product ecosystem into consideration. Design done right sees technology as an enabler, not the solution.
This is Apple’s great strength: the Apple brand. No matter whether you first purchased an iPod or a iMac, first smiled at the “Get a Mac” or dancing iPod ads, or first felt your attention drawn to the fluid grace of the animated iPhone user interface—no matter what first drew you in, what likely held you was the Apple brand.