What is Computing Innovation? Definition, Process Framework and Examples

What is Computing Innovation?

Computing innovation is defined as the process of creating new, or improving existing computing systems and applications.

Computing is in itself the process of taking a query as input, performing a logical task and giving the correct answer as output. A simple calculator device is a computer of lower caliber capable of only mathematical input and output. On the other hand, a laptop is an exponentially more capable computing machine.

Since a computer is made of several layers of technology, similarly computing innovation also happens at several layers. This gives innovators a big landscape to work in and see possibilities for improvement and expansion.

Here are the 4 basic layers of any computing where innovation can take place:

• External hardware: This is the container of the computing device. It defines the structure, feel, look and build of the computer.

• Internal hardware: This is the innovation of the hardware used inside computing systems, such as processor chipsets, RAM, ROM, sockets etc.

• Operating system (OS): This is the first layer of software on the hardware which then supports all the added application softwares. For example, MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux etc.

• System applications: These are the default and typically non-removable apps that are key for the brand’s basic OS to operate properly. For example, file manager is a basic app present in most operating systems. Without it the collected files will need separate apps to view each type of file. Most system apps are permanent but the user may have the option to switch to another 3rd party app for the task.

• 3rd party system apps: These apps are acquired by the user of the computing device. They range from business apps to personal apps. They may work natively on-premise or may be cloud-hosted and need the internet to operate.

• Web-apps and mobile apps: Most software-as-a-service software that are used on desktop are web-based apps, where the browser renders the software application. On mobile, there is typically an app for better use and optimized mobile experience. Most web-apps support mobile web-versions alongside the mobile app.

Related: What is Digital Innovation? 

Computing Innovation Framework: Key Process Stages

Let us now understand the framework for computing innovation today and the stages that any such innovation undergoes. This applies to innovation in any layer of the computing system.

• Stage 1. Need recognition and innovation area identification 

Need recognition can happen at any layer of computing, starting from the hardware to apps. This is where an innovator sees an area of improvement or a complete leap forward. Of course, the top layers, the external hardware, the internet hardware and the OS require the most investment to not just innovate but also to penetrate an existing market dominated by Microsoft and Apple.

However, just because there are existing players with deep pockets does not mean this is any barrier to innovation. Remember, the PC market was once dominated by players like IBM and HP, and then Apple and Microsoft innovated to disrupt and displace existing players.

• Stage 2. Innovation ideation

So far you may have only identified an area where innovation can happen and perhaps have a vague idea of what it may look like. In this next phase is where the idea needs to take shape in the form of concrete concepts. This may require secondary research to understand the current supply chain, the existing players, an approximation of the investment requirement, feasibility studies and economic viability etc.

At the completion of this stage, the innovator should have a clear picture of what the innovation needs to look like, its core functions and how it will be able to capture a certain market.

• Stage 3. Investment gathering and prototype building

Depending on your area of innovation in computing, you may need early investment after the ideation phase or you can build a basic working prototype. For example, if the idea is to build an application, then that is much less cost intensive than building a new computing hardware model. Initial prototype apps may even be just built by one individual or a small team, whereas more fundamental innovations require investments such as machinery, more talent, supply chain partners etc, and will require substantial initial investments to build a functional prototype.

• Stage 4. Evaluation and Testing

The prototype is basecamp for initial testing and investor showcasing. It is evaluated for functionality and performance, at least basic usability and focus group feedback, showing any early investors a fully working model of the concept and creating steps for the development of the final product.

Since the prototype is likely to be confidential, anyone involved in testing it outside of the core team is made to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Any public announcements at this stage are typically kept limited to avoid unwanted disclosures of features, functions or capabilities, unless any disclosures are part of the public awareness strategy.

Your prototype may also undergo several versions before a satisfactory model is achieved. This will only help with the final product’s development.

• Stage 5. Final product development 

Once the prototype testing is done with feedback and alterations taken into account, it is time to develop the final version of the product that can be released in the market.

This is a rigorous phase of developing, testing, feedback and iterations till a final version has been reached. This is also a stage where production capabilities need to be analysed to meet initial demand for the product upon launch.

Product development phase is also when the teams outside of the product team need to prepare for launch. This includes marketing, sales, accounting, customer service etc.

• Stage 6. Launch and customer feedback

Launch is the go-to-market for the product. This is actually less product centric and more focused on marketing-driven communication, announcements, media engagement, sales and service preparedness and so on.

Right before launch, the team needs to be prepared to answer user/ customer queries, provide support for the product, set up tracking for data to listen to all channels of customer feedback and chatter etc.

The launch itself may happen across multiple channels depending on the product type. Enterprise product launches are typically more low key and more focused to reach enterprise buyers, compared to consumer product launches that involve more channels.

One cornerstone of launch is to be honest and clear. Don’t overhype anything that doesn’t meet expectations on actual use and also don’t undersell a key feature.

Customers don’t abandon brands because they didn’t do it perfectly, they abandon them when they feel they are not being heard or got deceived.

• Stage 7. Improvements and iterations

Post-launch the real work starts in incorporating customer feedback to power your updates and next product iterations. Issues that can be solved in this model should be immediately solved through updates in case of software. Any issues/ areas of improvement that are hardware oriented and too fundamental to resolve in this model needs to be resolved in the next version.

Above all, clear and transparent customer communication is key for any new innovation/ startup. If something is broken and you are working to fix it, let them know that it will get fixed in the next update. If it cannot be fixed and the issue is the hardware, you may even want to consider a full refund/ call back the product till the issues are fixed. Ideally, a good testing phase should reveal any fundamental product issues and resolve core problems early on.

Related: What is Innovation Management?

Examples of popular Computing Innovations and their Applications

1. External hardware

• Apple Magsafe and unibody aluminium laptops

In 2006, Apple introduced the Magsafe, which took away a big problem for most users, which was, the laptop being dragged alongside the power connector by people and pets. Instead, being a magnetic connector instead of a port with a hole, the connector simply fell off when pulled or dragged instead of taking the laptop down with it.

In 2008 Apple introduced the first unibody aluminium design line of laptops which made them more durable. Prior to this innovation, the external body of laptops came in pieces that were screwed together and were much more prone to damages. This innovation has become an industry standard for quality laptops.

• Foldable smartphones

Foldable smartphones have still not reached their full maturity since they leave a crease in the middle of the screen where the fold happens, but it is still the biggest innovation in the last decade in smartphone screens. Many manufacturers are launching newer and better foldable devices, and much more iterative innovation is required here, or perhaps even a leapfrog innovation.

• Edge-to-edge smartphone display

Edge-to-edge displays have been around for a decade in some variations, and are still being refined. Many companies have tried their own versions and they all seem to work well, and have become a mainstay for premium smartphones and laptops. The challenge always is the front camera cut out area rather than a complete screen. There have been many versions that tried to eliminate them by making the camera pop-up from the back of the screen or having it under the screen. However, most consumers seem to learn to just ignore the camera and appreciate the edge-to-edge screen real-estate.

2. Internal hardware

• Apple’s M chips

Apple’s ARM architecture based M series chips launched in 2020 and has been the biggest leap forward in laptop and desktop computing processor speed in decades. Till then the market was moving with small iterative improvements, but the M chip did two things at once – it cut down power usage as well as increased processing speed massively. In fact, Macbook Air M1 was completely fanless and all Air series laptops in Apple’s line up don’t use any fans, but deliver top-notch performance. This has gained widespread positive reviews and critical acclaim by users.

• Silicon carbon batteries

While silicon carbon batteries were being worked on by several companies since more than a decade, it was in 2024 that they entered the mainstream smartphone market with a few brands. This is a big innovation in the mobile battery space, which was traditionally dominated by lithium ion batteries that are now getting replaced with silicon carbon batteries which can hold much more energy per charge.

For context, by mid-2025 we are seeing smartphones with 7000-8000 mAh Si-ca batteries, whereas the typical large battery segment with Li-ion was 5000 mAh. That is a 50-80% increase in battery capacity and this innovation is still undergoing integration by mobile manufacturers and is expected to get even better over time.

3. Operating system (OS) software

• The iconic iOS

Apple’s iOS when launched in 2007 with the first iPhone was the biggest leap in mobile OS ever seen. It created a simple yet sophisticated app layout right on the homescreen, whereas with earlier mobile operating systems it was difficult to even find all the apps and features.

Moreover, it could load full webpages using Safari’s mobile version instead of the WAP version in other smartphones of the time and has a seamless control mechanism for everything from media to pinch-to-zoom.

Moreover, in 2008, despite some initial hesitation, Apple introduced the App Store which was the first of its kind and gave a massive platform to 3rd party developers.

• The iconic open source Android OS

Android OS was launched by Google in late 2008, and was preceded by Apple’s iOS by more than a year. However, what was unique about Android since the time of its launch was the open-source nature of the OS. It could be used and modified by any manufacturer, and it took the modern smartphone market to the next stage of its evolution.

Without Android OS, today every manufacturer would have their own mobile OS which would make a common Android market place (now Play Store) an impossibility. Furthermore, it saved manufacturers and consumers probably 5 years by making the OS readily available, without which each brand would have to develop a mobile OS from scratch to compete with Apple’s iOS.

While iOS is credited with showing users and brands what a modern mobile OS needs to be like, it was Android OS that made it openly available and helped make the modern smartphone the mainstream mobile.

4. Software and apps

• Apple App Store and Android Play Store

Apple’s App Store was launched in 2008, a year after iOS. This was actually not part of the initial plan, but everyone is glad that they listened to developer requests who wanted to create apps for the new mobile OS because they saw its potential. Initially Steve Jobs asked developers to create mobile web apps. However, later he agred to create the App Store, where any developer whose apps meet Apple’s set standards for quality and user experience, can launch them in this market place for iOS users.

This was revolutionary in the computing innovation space because it continues to make lives easier for billions of people across the planet. It was also what inspired Android to have its own Market (now Play Store since 2012).

Together, iOS and Android’s application stores have reached every corner of the world. It has led to millions of people being employed by app developers, and the apps themselves are used for everything from booking cabs and ordering meals to running enterprise businesses.

• iTunes Podcast

iTunes, for those who are old enough to remember, was the platform that created what we today understand as podcasts. iTunes allowed anyone to start their own internet based channels for free, a divergence from traditional radio platforms.

Without iTunes’s innovation, we wouldn’t have millions of online podcasts everyday and was a leap forward in people’s freedom of speech and expression.

Related: What is a Culture of Innovation and How to Create it