Five Ways the First iPhone Was a Remarkably Innovative Device
Credit: marleyPug / ShutterstockWhether you are an iPhone fan or not, the impact of the iPhone is undeniable. Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone in 2007, and then the world was changed. Jobs recognized the significance of his iPhone, calling it "a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone." Though technically not magical, continue reading to learn about the five ways the original iPhone was a game-changer for mobile phone owners worldwide.
Time for touching
Touching your phone with your fingers seems second nature now, but this type of interaction was revolutionary back when the original iPhone was introduced. Most phones did not have a touchscreen, and those few phones that did have a touchscreen used a stylus. Using your finger as an input device was simple but genius. Once everyone experienced the touchscreen interface, there was no going back. The good ole stylus persists, but it is now a companion to the finger, not a replacement.
Slim profile
It wasn't just the iPhone's immersive touchscreen display that turned that world on its head. The svelte styling of the phone was mind-blowing at the time. Most phones were bulky and boxy. They hung on your belt like a brick weight. But not the iPhone. It was streamlined. It felt comfortable in your hand and slid easily into your pocket, making it the perfect companion whether at work or play. This slim and simple design persists to this day.
Qwerty no more
Before the iPhone, every business person carried a BlackBerry on their hip. The Blackberry wanted the most stylish phone on the market, but it did have a rocking physical keyboard. Instead of double and triple tapping on keys to type out text messages, you could bang out a message on a full-fledged qwerty keyboard. As good as the BlackBerry keyboard, it paled in comparison to the onscreen keyboard pioneered by the iPhone.
The onscreen keyboard was more than a BlackBerry keyboard killer. It revolutionized display technology, too. Because the iPhone used a collapsible software keyboard instead of a physical keyboard, Apple could equip its debut smartphone with a nearly full-length display. A smartphone that was mostly screen? That was unheard of back then. Apple became a driving force behind display technology eventually introducing the retina display, ProMotion technology, and more.
Media explosion
Before the iPhone, most people used their smartphones to send text messages, answer emails and occasionally browse the web. Hardly anyone watched YouTube, TV shows, or sporting events on their phone. That all changed when Apple introduced the iPhone. You didn't have to squint anymore to watch a video on a small screen. Photos and videos looked incredible on the full-length display. Media companies took advantage of this newfound distribution platform.
The original iPhone was also a camera phone and redefined consumer photography. Not only could you watch videos on your iPhone, but you could also produce them using the iPhone's industry-leading camera hardware and software. The iPhone changed how people captured their lives. Instead of carrying a bevy of cameras and lenses, people only needed their phones.
App Store Approaches
The original iPhone did not launch with an App store, but the phone set the stage for an eventual explosion in apps. It shipped with preinstalled apps like Phone, Weather, Notes, Calendar, Photos, Calculator, etc. iPhone owners got accustomed to using the default apps and wanted more. They wanted a diversity of apps to meet their unique needs. It didn't take long for Apple to launch its Apple store. One year later, iPhone owners had a way to download and install approved apps on their phones.
