The iPhone is an incredible platform for innovation.  As it becomes more popular, it invites even more innovation.  Many of the iPhoneโ€™s functions demonstrate the Task Unification template of the corporate innovation method called S.I.T..  Task Unification is a pattern that assigns an additional job to an existing resource or component within a product or service.  To use Task Unification in practice, we start by listing the components of the product or service.  Then we assign non-intuitive tasks to some of the components randomly.  The idea is to create weird, ambiguous โ€œvirtual productsโ€ that donโ€™t seem to make any sense.  Then we work backwards from this hypothetical โ€œsolutionโ€ to a possible problem that it addresses.  Linking the solution to a problem creates an idea.

L5-technology-universal-remote-adapter Here are two recent examples of Task Unification in the iPhone.  What is unique is the use of a resource that is often overlooked: the charger receptacle.  The device shown at left plugs into the charger receptacle and turns an iPhone or iPod Touch into a universal remote. Itโ€™s made by L5 Technology, and was launched at CES 2010.  It controls any compatible device within 30 feet using a free app from the App Store.

Mophie-credit-card-reader-iphone

Another clever example of Task Unification shown at CES was the Mophie credit card reader device. It lets you take payments with your iPhone using a third-party app and a device that attaches directly to your phone.  I have seen a similar device used exclusively at Apple stores, but this is the first available for the consumer market.

Check out more iPhone innovations yet-to-be-seen.