Apple's iPhone first launched 8 years ago today
It’s July 29, 2015, which means Apple’s iPhone first became available for users exactly eight years ago – and it’s safe to say the smartphone market has never been the same, since.
At the time, the original iPhone launched on AT&T’s network only, and it offered U.S. customers a revolutionary multi-touch interface, access to a range of built-in iOS applications, and powerful mobile Internet functionality. Soon after, the iPhone launched in a handful of further countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Back then, the first-generation 8GB iPhone cost $599 on a two-year contract, though Apple soon brought the price down to $399 in September 2007.
From here, in 2009 Apple unveiled the iPhone 3G, which brought 3G cellular functionality (along with improved internals) to the handset. The iPhone 3G was my first iPhone, and as you can probably guess, I’ve never looked back. Before this, however, in 2008 Apple introduced its App Store – the digital distribution platform it uses to deliver mobile iOS applications from developers to consumers. The App Store changed the way iPhone owners looked at their handsets, and it’s in no small way responsible for Apple’s success in the smartphone sector. The iPhone 3GS followed in 2010, enhancing the smartphone’s built-in camera and boosting its performance.
The iPhone 4 launched with some controversy in 2010: ahead of its launch, the handset actually leaked online, providing consumers with a detailed look at the device long before it was introduced on-stage by CEO Steve Jobs. I’m sure you can all remember our coverage of the iPhone 4 leaks – looking back, I still can’t believe that actually happened. This model was also the first Apple device to include a Retina display, and this has now reached every one of Cupertino’s devices (including its desktop Mac computers).
Apple’s iPhone 4S introduced the world to Siri, and the iPhone 5 boosted the size of the smartphone’s screen. With the iPhone 5s, Cupertino unveiled Touch ID: its secure, convenient fingerprint scanner. Finally, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the latter of which saw Cupertino enter the so-called “phablet” market, reached Apple Store shelves last year.
Of course, Apple’s iPhone history is great to look back on. But we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future. Could Siri or Touch ID reach the Mac? Might Force Touch come to iOS? Perhaps a future Apple Watch might replace our iPhones altogether! Given the company’s past history, we’re expecting the next-generation iPhone handset – or handsets – to be unveiled by Apple this September. So we don’t have long to wait.
Happy anniversary, iPhone!
See also: Today’s apps gone free: ProShot, Dark Arcana, Giflay and more, No prince is coming, save yourself in Segreta, and Next iOS 9 beta will support Apple Music; coming today?.
Thanks to FindTheBest.com for the graphic!
