Apple iPhone: The Gadget That Rewired Modern Life

[Julio Franco]

The iPhone redefined technology and culture. More than a phone, it merged music, communication, and the web – transforming not just gadgets, but how we connect and create.

Read the full article here.

Apple iPhone: The Gadget That Rewired Modern Life

 

[ZedRM]

But what kind of a world was it, then?

Let's be honest, it was a much better place.

 

[MakeMSGreatAgain]

Thanks Steve Jobs for ruining the power user aspect of mobile devices... This flat slab touch everything idea is nice for basic stuff but SUCKS for any more advanced things you want to do. I miss physical keyboards for my mobile device, user replaceable batteries, headphone ports, and non-astronomical entry costs. Don't get me wrong, I do like the iPhone and it is a very nice thing but its overwhelming presence ruined all chance of having a mobile device that is more capable.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Back then, here in NYC, most of us had to have two phones.

Most people just getting onto the mobile internet either had a Blackberry (like me) or a Sidekick from Tmobile. That was between 2002 (SK1), 2004 (SK2) and 2006 (SK3)
2005: I had the Nextel i870 because it was the easiest way to have a phone, basic web browser and MP3 player, a 1.3 Megapixel camera and the ability to record video for 30 seconds.
I typically carried an MP3 player up till then but storage was expensive and relatively small.
Back then, many phones lacked a camera, camcorder and MP3 capability.

I first experienced iPhone when my network administrator came to help me manage a Mac server in my building. I asked him to let me hold it to take a close look at it. I was sold within 30 seconds on it and have been with Apple ever since.

YES, this was a leap frog product that absolutely changed everything. The world included.

That said: I'm currently with iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB waiting for the 2TB model to upgrade. I skipped 15 and 16. The phone itself is "perfect". Short of "more storage" there's not much else I need beyond software improvements as I don't play desktop-grade 3D games on it.

I've handed me down my previous iPhones to my parents (both retired) and they love them. All they do is browse the web and take pictures. I got them iPads as well. Maybe my Dad will get my 14.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Thanks Steve Jobs for ruining the power user aspect of mobile devices... This flat slab touch everything idea is nice for basic stuff but SUCKS for any more advanced things you want to do. I miss physical keyboards for my mobile device, user replaceable batteries, headphone ports, and non-astronomical entry costs. Don't get me wrong, I do like the iPhone and it is a very nice thing but its overwhelming presence ruined all chance of having a mobile device that is more capable.

The market made its decision. The free market is NEVER wrong.

Blackberry tried to keep physical keyboards and headphone ports but negligent parents with children who sent those phones under toilet water and into tubs made that decision for us: the market wanted more water proof phones.

As for removable batteries: low-quality batteries (and need for waterproofing) made that decision for us. Low-grade batteries were damaging phones, ruining phones and Apple decided to control the battery to ensure its quality. Android makers followed.

The one thing that annoys me is having to wait for storage increases as storage is tied directly to the logic board. I don't like micro SD cards and I prefer NAND flash.

As for wireless headphones: I've damaged so many headphone cables that I for one appreciate purely digital music without damaged headphone cables or plugs.

The one thing missing is a wireless video standard so we can have wireless smart glasses/VR displays. Bluetooth isn't powerful enough.

 

[DirkMeister]

Great article guys. No doubt about it that the iPhone changed the way we use phones today. But honestly, I don't think the world is better now. It was a way better world before society got addicted to mobile PCs.

 

[McKocoa]

Digital maps, music, email, and touch screen. Apple nailed these by iphone 3. Paper maps were rendered dead and ancient relics. Even before the iphone, ipods had the cool factor. I had iphone 3 and 4, then I switched to android simply because I could not figure out how to transfer music from itunes properly.

 

[Q Wales]

then I switched to android simply because I could not figure out how to transfer music from itunes properly.

Yes why did they make itunes so difficult to use when everything else is geared around making the iPhone easy to operate, it's definitely one of their major fails imo.