The innovation definition war rages on. What is innovation? There are many definitions in the world, but the one that seems to fit the best is discussed in an innovation article over at techdirt.

It should be noted, however, that innovation is not just connected to new inventions. Innovation is about taking what exists, both tangible and intangible and making it useful. This could be a business model as easily as it is a new trinket, or a more cost-effective way to run a billing program. Innovation happens in all areas, at all levels. It does, however, happen more clearly in some areas.

Innovation on the fringes is often more visible than innovation at the core. For example, in remote sections of Africa, there is a concept of a telephone kiosk. The kiosk operator has purchased a phone card. A local villager can go and pay the kiosk operator for one or two minutes and make a quick call. Messages can also be left with the kiosk operator and delivered to the local townspeople. Where this gets interesting is that it has also enabled a way to send cash. Someone from a neighboring city, state or country can purchase phone minutes and use them to “charge” the kiosk operators phone card. The kiosk operator then takes a small commission and pays cash to the intended local townsperson.

Phone cards were never intended to act like ATM’s nor were they intended for community use. But on the fringes, they have morphed into both, and without a new gizmo in the middle. The kiosk, it’s just a payphone with a calling card slot.