I don't think it's fair to say Apple was the only company focusing on design, simplicity and ease-of-use prior to 2001. For example, the palm treo was much easier to use than other "smart" phones of the day. The difference between iPhones and other phones was epic, but it was also generational.
There were people at Motorola focused on these things and they made the RAZR, which dominated the world mobile market for years. Compared to other "feature" phones of the day, it was remarkably awesome (granted some people hated it but its hard to deny its success).
Apple did it better, but they weren't the only ones trying. The fact that they did it much much better than their competition does not necessarily indicate that other companies weren't trying.
/end rant
In other news, Apple watch should be a solid touch screen bracelet. IMHO.
There were people at Motorola focused on these things and they made the RAZR, which dominated the world mobile market for years. Compared to other "feature" phones of the day, it was remarkably awesome (granted some people hated it but its hard to deny its success).
Apple did it better, but they weren't the only ones trying. The fact that they did it much much better than their competition does not necessarily indicate that other companies weren't trying.
/end rant
In other news, Apple watch should be a solid touch screen bracelet. IMHO.