Apple Phone: A master class in product development, design of several types, and a careful look at consumer needs and wants, filtered through the needs of the corporation. It’s beautiful because it’s a system that respects all of it’s parts, with maybe a bit of favor given to the company.
It also makes me thing of the future. It’s hard to believe that when information and technology design become even more indespensible to our lives, for example when motor vehicles become interface and information driven, rather than mechanical, all those involved will be as open and forward thinking as apple, showing respect and restraint. They’re obviously not saints (DRM, etc.), but they’re closer than most who design and sell.