Classroom Companion: Business

2.2 · Timeline for the ICT Evolution

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Bluetooth (1997) interconnects devices over very short distances, while Wi-Fi 
(1997) offers local network access using packet radio. Both technologies are widely 
employed today. Android (2007) and iPhone (2007) transformed smartphones into 
advanced computers also supporting the app ecosystems (Apple’s App Store and 
Google Play). The smartphone apps are the main building blocks of the emerging 
location-based services such as Airbnb (2008) and Uber (2009), both being sharing 
services. Google (1998) enables users to search the World Wide Web for informa-
tion. When Google was launched, there were several competing search engines; 
however, Google turned out to be technologically superior to its competitors and 
captured most of the market. The initial business of Netflix (1998) was DVD rental 
and sales by mail; now, Netflix provides online media streaming services to sub-
scribers in over 190 countries. 
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Amazon. com
(1997) launched a successful 
e- commerce website.
When home computers and laptops became ubiquitous in the developed world, 
Internet services such as Wikipedia (2001), Skype (2003), Facebook (2004), 
YouTube (2005), Twitter (2006), Dropbox (2007), and Spotify (2008) emerged. 
These services, satisfying different user needs, were not the first in their respective 
service category. However, with a combination of technological superiority, smart 
design, and luck, they managed to become the dominating services. Every year new 
innovations emerge in different markets and fields. Bitcoin (2009) emerged with the 
idea of disrupting the banking system by offering a cryptocurrency that enabled 
trade and money transfers without third-party involvement. Likewise, Snapchat 
(2011) sought to fill gaps in the social media market by enabling private sharing of 
pictures and videos on mobile devices.