Diffusion of Innovation

Every single innovation in this world goes through a form of evolution. Each new idea spreads through populations and societies from the original idea to the actual conception of the item. In 1962, Everett Rogers, an American theorist and sociologist, popularized the diffusion of innovations theory. This theory is an idea that works to describe the rate at which new technology or some new information travels.

A feature of the diffusion process is called “adopters.” Based on what the diffusion theory states, the adopters are how long it takes each person to adopt a new idea. This would be based on their openness to the innovation, culture, and education.

The iPhone is an example of innovation that can be analyzed using the diffusion theory. 2007 brought us Steve Jobs's introduction to the iPhone. He described it as “a revolutionary mobile phone,” a “widescreen iPod with touch controls,” and a “breakthrough Internet communications device.”

Before the iPhone, smartphones were being developed and evolving but not at the rate or intelligence of the iPhone. After this advanced technology was introduced, society as a whole became infatuated with the iPhone and its advancements. Touchscreen compatibility and multiple added features, such as music and internet accessibility, gave the “early adopters,” the middle-upper class of society, the advantage over other cell phone users.

The “late adopters” may have been uninterested in the IPhone at first as it was not cost effective.  Now, iPhones are all over the world and used by many in various socioeconomic classes. The benefits of this revolutionary technology allow consumers to access communication, social media, entertainment, music, gaming, Internet access, cameras, and much more.

I am sincerely thankful for the fact that I own an iPhone. It has greatly enhanced my life by waking me in the morning, keeping me reminded of appointments and allowing me to listen to my favorite music and that’s just a few of the many options it offers. What an incredible concept.