INNOBLOG

A few weeks ago, I mentioned the Firefly phone and asked whether it would be considered a sustaining or a disruptive innovation. While it had some characteristics of a disruptive innovation - a simple product that enables a new set of customers to use the product - my analysis suggested it was more of a sustaining innovation. If the innovation is not disruptive to all major incumbents, it is probably not disruptive. More and more evidence seems to be backing my thinking.

The latest entrant into the market is Leapfrog - the manufacturer of the LeapPad, which if you have young kids, you know well. Very similar to the Firefly - and since it's Leapfrog, it will also play educational games. Clearly a number of companies feel the market for cell phones for young kids is attractive. Time will tell if they are right. One thing is for sure - if it turns out to be a good market, it is only a matter of time before the big cell phone manufacturers jump into the fray.