Phone is single biggest medium to get connected and
communicate with anyone across the world. Mobile has made life even simpler
with calling/ receiving message on the go. Motorola was the first company to
demonstrate handheld device called mobile phone. The device evolved over a
period of time and newer and fascinating features got added. Yet, primarily
mobile phones remained dorky and were used strictly for communication – voice
or text.
In 2007, history-defining event happened and the industry
never remained the same. Steve Jobs introduced the first ever iPhone to the
world. Having played the launch video over and over again on YouTube, I can
tell you the crowd and the world were amazed to see what Steve was presenting
on large screen. The immediate question that most of them had, “is that for
real? Is this a concept or a reality!” The reasons were obvious because nobody
ever thought what a multi touch screen phone without a keypad would look like.
No company ever before gave so much importance to the design and customer
experience. The streets were cautious over the success and competitors had
written off the device at the launch itself.
When Steve Ballmer then CEO of Microsoft, considered as
biggest competitor, was asked to give his first reaction on the iPhone after
its launch he said:
"Five hundred dollars fully subsidized with a plan! I
said that is the most expensive phone in the world and it doesn't appeal to
business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard, which makes it not a
very good email machine…”
Clearly companies were not looking at innovation. Most of
the companies were in disbelief of the features that iPhone was to offer. They
thought it would be very high on battery and may not last long in market.
Over the years, the device has become a style statement. It
is a lifestyle product now with owners oozing an edge over others when in
public. It has redefined the way people use phones. Be it Apps or messaging,
communication has taken a giant leap forward.
Today, at every launch, millions of people wait outside
Apple Stores to grab the latest offerings. The device comes for a price (read
heavy price) but then you cant put a price on the experience you derive from
such high end products.
Even I waited for six years to buy first ever iPhone. The
feeling was euphoric. I was on cloud nine and I praised Steve Jobs for
conceiving such a brilliant idea. Even he would have become happy up there,
looking at me since his long term admirer was finally buying his product, two,
and not just one. The company stock prices closed up 3% that day on the NASDAQ.
I carefully opened the box as if I was handling a newborn
baby. Delicate and beautiful with ‘Designed
in California’ all over it. I saw it over and over again. I started
remembering notes from Steve Jobs’ Biography, book I read in its first week of
launch. How much effort and deliberations were done to bring this masterpiece
out to the World. Every body part is skillfully crafted giving highest pleasure
to the user.
For iPhone and for the innovation, take a bow, Sir, Steve
Jobs.
PS: I bought two
iPhones for my relatives as I was visiting my native place on vacation. The
wait to own one still continues with my wife promising to gift it on my next
Birthday!
