Question
Yes, there are several companies that have successfully implemented a similar design philosophy to RIM's. Apple Inc. is a prime example. They have always prioritized user experience and simplicity in their design philosophy, much like RIM. They hide the technical aspects of their devices and software, making them intuitive and easy to use. Another example is Google with its Android OS, which is designed to be user-friendly and seamless, minimizing the 'think points' for users.
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After moving design in house for RIM's next-generation device, Mike Lazaridis played a heavy role in monitoring all elements of hardware and software design. One of his mantras was to remove "think points." He insisted that using the device should be seamless and pleasurable, not a headache. Rather than show any of the "back end" to users like the technical coding or headers on emails, he wanted to hide all of that. Rather than have the device "buzz" when the device received an email from the server, he instructed his team to program it so that it would alert the user when the email had been received, decoded, and was waiting in their inbox. Here are some other key aspects of design that would make the device a darling with its users and wireless carriers:
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