On June 29, 2022, the original iPhone turns 15 years old. That day, a decade and a half ago, Apple began selling its first smartphone in the U.S. To celebrate this brand in industry, technology and society, The Wall Street Journal published a 20-minute video showing how Apple transformed an entire generation with the iPhone.
On June 29, 2007, the first iPhone went on sale. That same day a child named Noah Schmick was born. For the next 15 years, the iPhone grew … and so did Noah. Through interviews with current and former Apple executives, WSJ’s Joanna Stern traces how Apple’s invention matured and changed us all, perhaps the younger generation in particular.
As always, WSJ’s Joanna Stern is more than just talking about the innovative camera, processor, and software features available on the iPhone generation after generation over the past 15 years. The journalist compares the availability of this product with a 15-year-old teenager, Noah Schmick, who was born on the same day that Apple made the iPhone available, which means he has never lived a day without an iPhone in the world.
While it’s worth watching the full video, Stern provides some interesting insights from his interviews with current and former Apple executives, including Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of global marketing at Apple Park. “It was amazing. It still gives me some goosebumps, because it was history,” he says as he recalls the original iPhone launch.
Jos values the creation of the App Store, the importance of Screen Time and even the early days when Apple sued Samsung over and over again for patent infringements. Here are two of the best executive quotes.
“They were annoying,” Jos says talking about Samsung and Android in the early days. “And they were upset because, as you know, they scammed our technology. They took the innovations we had created and created a poor copy of it and put a bigger screen on it. We weren’t too happy.”
“We have created an amazing tool to help people with how they learn, to help people how they work, communicate (…) But at the same time, we want to help people with the need for moderation. We don’t make our money with commitment. It’s not like you use your iPhone, the more money we make. That’s not how it works. We just want you to have a good experience. “
Joanna Stern also interviews Phillip Shoemaker, who is in charge of the App Store review process, and Justin Santamaria, who helped bring FaceTime to the iPhone.
Although the video is not yet available on YouTube, you can find it here on the Wall Street Journal page.
What to expect from the 15th anniversary of the iPhone?
When the iPhone turned a decade old, Apple introduced the new iPhone X with a revamped design, Face ID unlock and OLED display. Now, five years later, the company is expected to introduce four new models from the iPhone 14 series, with a redesign for the Pro model. Apple is said to be improving is improving its processor, cameras and display technologies like never before, but product name XV is not expected.
What was your first iPhone, what do you have now? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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