Apple has come a long way with the iPhone, whether we are talking about the design or the internals. From using the Samsung S3C6400 chip to the company’s custom silicon, the iPhone has secured a spot in the upper leagues. However, the design of the device is vastly different from the original model, including a consistent increase in screen size. Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone 18 years ago today, and it gives us an opportunity to look back on a device that revolutionized the tech industry and redefined mobile communication.
Apple announced the original iPhone 18 years ago today, changing the course of mobile communication forever
Steve Jobs announced the original iPhone on January 9, 2007, in the most iconic way that is amusing to this day. The late CEO stated that the company is introducing three different products packed into one. It housed qualities of “an iPod with touch controls, a phone, and a breakthrough internet communications device.” Steve Jobs also announced on stage that “Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.”
“An iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator. An iPod, a phone—are you getting it? These are not three separate devices. This is one device, and we are calling it iPhone.”
The original iPhone featured an unconventional design to the standards of that time with a part aluminum, part plastic design, breaking away from the conventions. It also came with a big 3.5-inch display with built-in keyboard functionality, as the device did not have a physical keyboard. Furthermore, it also featured a 2MP camera and a dedicated iPhone OS. Compared to the industry standards at that time, the original iPhone’s operating system was as much of a big deal as the device itself.
The original iPhone laid the groundwork for all flagship smartphones we use today, offering a design that was both natural to the touch and innovative, breaking away from traditional design language. Alongside the original iPhone, Apple also announced the Apple TV 18 years ago, but it was called the iTV during an earlier event in 2006. The Apple TV aimed to bring iTunes content to the bigger screen, and it has succeeded in doing so. The presentation was pure entertainment, and you can check it out below.
Apple has also been building upon its devices for a growing success. For instance, the company introduced the App Store for the iPhone the following year, and in 2019, the company announced its online content streaming service called Apple TV+, which competes against the likes of Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and more. The company’s success with various products proved that it was not a computer company alone, and today, the company is gradually expanding its product line, with the latest addition being the Vision Pro headset. Do you think the iPhone revolutionized the tech industry and gave the competition a direction to move towards?
