{"id":35064,"date":"2022-07-01T15:43:50","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T11:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/?p=35064"},"modified":"2022-07-01T15:43:50","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T11:43:50","slug":"the-iphone-turns-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/the-iphone-turns-15\/","title":{"rendered":"The iPhone turns 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A look at the past (and future) of one of the 21st century\u2019s most influential devices<\/span> <\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/span>Image Credit: ANI<\/span><\/p>\n

It is 15 years since Apple released what\u2019s arguably its flagship device: the iPhone. A decade and a half later, there are few products that have managed to reach a similar level of brand recognition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Announced to an eager audience in 2007, the iPhone has revolutionised how we communicate and even how we live day to day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The large-screen revolution<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The iPhone was released in the United States in June 2007, and in a further six countries in November.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the launch of Mac computers in the 1970s to the iPod in 2001, Apple already knew how to engage with its audience \u2013 and how to encourage extraordinary levels of hype when\u00a0launching a product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early reviews for the iPhone\u00a0were almost universally glowing, applauding Apple\u2019s attention to detail and style. The only problem flagged was network connectivity \u2013 and this was an issue with slow speeds on phone carrier networks, rather than the device itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consumers\u2019 appreciation of the iPhone\u2019s style was no surprise. It was indicative of an emerging trend towards smartphones with large-format screens (but which still reflected the form of a phone). The Nokia N95 was another such example that hit the market the same year.<\/span><\/p>\n

The original iPhone offered wifi, supported 2G EDGE connectivity and had internet download speeds below 500Kbps (compared to multi Mbps speeds today).<\/span><\/p>\n

It was also limited to 4GB or 8GB models. This might sound pitiful compared to the 1TB options available today, but it\u2019s enough to hold hundreds of songs or videos and was\u00a0revolutionary\u00a0at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Apple assembly line<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The iPhone 3G was rolled out across the globe in July 2008, with significantly improved data speeds and the addition of the\u00a0Appple App Store. Even though it offered a mere 500 apps at launch, the app store marked a significant improvement in phone functionality.<\/span><\/p>\n

And just as users started getting used to 3G, it was superseded by the 3GS about a year later.<\/span><\/p>\n

This cycle of regularly pushing out new products was critical to Apple\u2019s success. By releasing regular updates (either through whole product iterations, or more minor functionality improvements) Apple managed to secure an enthusiastic audience, eager for new releases each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, since older products would often be passed down within families, Apple\u2019s product pipeline helped it establish a multi-generational user base. This pipeline continues to operate today.<\/span><\/p>\n

New approaches to old ways<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The iPhone family has delivered size, speed and storage improvements over its 15-year history. Some of its \u201cnew\u201d features weren\u2019t necessarily new to the market, but Apple excelled at delivering them in highly integrated ways that \u201cjust worked\u201d (as founder Steve Jobs would say).<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2013, the iPhone 5S introduced touch ID, which allowed users to unlock their phones with a fingerprint. While this had first been introduced with the\u00a0Fujitsu F505i\u00a0back in 2003, Apple delivered a robust implementation of the feature. Of course, it wasn\u2019t long before enterprising individuals learnt how to\u00a0bypass the mechanism.<\/span><\/p>\n

The iPhone 8, released in 2017, brought with it the face ID feature. This still had\u00a0weaknesses, but was at least immune to being unlocked with a photo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond security, the iPhone series has also produced year-on-year improvements in camera technology. While the original model sported a paltry two-megapixel camera, later models featured multiple lenses, with resolution boosted to 12 megapixels \u2013 rivalling many digital cameras on the market.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wireless charging\u00a0was introduced with the iPhone 8 (although preceded by\u00a0Samsung\u00a0as early as 2011). And the bezel-less design of the iPhone X, released in 2017, built on features found in the\u00a0Sharp Aquos S2\u00a0from the same year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Controversy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the iPhone has not been without problems. The introduction of the iPhone 7 in 2016 saw the removal of the standard 3.5mm headphone socket \u2013 and many weren\u2019t happy.<\/span><\/p>\n

While an adaptor was initially provided for customers to connect their regular headphones, it was only free for about two years. After that it had to be purchased. In 2016 there were indications of a spike in wireless headphone\u00a0sales. Perhaps somewhat conveniently, Apple\u00a0launched its AirPods\u00a0(wireless Bluetooth earbuds) at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

A similar change came in 2020 with the release of the iPhone 12. Arguing consumers had a multitude of spare devices \u2013 and perhaps trying to ride on the green re-use agenda \u2013 Apple\u00a0removed chargers\u00a0from the unboxing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Users still received a charge cable, but it was a USB-C to lightning cable, whereas previous iPhone chargers would have a USB-A socket (the standard USB port).<\/span><\/p>\n

The justification iPhone users would have a box full of old chargers overlooked the fact that none of them would be likely to support the newer and faster USB-C cable.<\/span><\/p>\n

So you could use your old USB-A to lightning cable and charger to charge your shiny new phone, but you\u2019d be limited to slower charging speeds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Future<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If the past 15 years are anything to go by, it\u2019s likely the iPhone will continue with annual product releases (as we write this article many will be anticipating the iPhone 14\u00a0due later this year).<\/span><\/p>\n

These models will probably bring improvements in speed, weight, battery life, camera resolution and storage capacity. However, it\u2019s not likely we\u2019ll be seeing many\u00a0groundbreaking<\/em>\u00a0innovations in the next few years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest iPhones are already highly sophisticated mini computers, which means there\u2019s limited scope for fundamental enhancement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the most radical change will be the shift from Apple\u2019s proprietary lightning connection to USB-C charging, thanks to a\u00a0new European Union directive. And while a common power connector standard is widely considered a positive move, Apple wasn\u2019t convinced:<\/span><\/p>\n

We believe regulations that impose harmonisation of smartphone chargers would stifle innovation rather than encourage it.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>As display technologies evolve, Apple may turn to the clam-shell phone design, with a fully\u00a0foldable display screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Samsung has already brought this\u00a0to the market. But Apple, in true fashion, will likely wait until the technology (particularly the glass) has evolved to deliver an experience in line with what iPhone users have come to expect.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we can\u2019t predict what the iPhone will look like in another 15 years (although\u00a0some have tried), it\u2019s likely the demand for Apple products will still be there, driven by Apple\u2019s strong brand loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ismini Vasileiou<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssociate Professor in Information Systems, <\/span>
\nDe Montfort University<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul Haskell-Dowland<\/strong><\/span>
\nProfessor of Cyber Security Practice, <\/span>
\nEdith Cowan University<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 1 July 2022<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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