[www.keralites.net] A look back at the iPhone

A look back at the iPhone The original iPhone was characterized as the handset that caught many phone-makers napping. Even though only one iPhone model has been introduced each year since 2007 and there have been no lack of criticisms, consumers are still lapping up the touchscreen smartphone. In the same year that the iPhone was unveiled to the world, Apple dropped "computer" from its name--in case it wasn't clear enough that the company wasn't just about laptops and desktops. With the iPhone, Jobs said Apple has "reinvented the phone". It's a bold claim that's typical of the man, but the iPhone is clearly a runaway success with its simple user interface, sleek looks and eosystem of apps. The smartphone has had its share of critics lambasting the iPhone for a host of missing features, which subsequent iPhones remedied. In the end, the iPhone isn't about what it does, or does not, but how it does it. To that end, Apple has succeeded where other have failed to tread. Although the first-generation iPhone was available only in the US and Europe, the latest model, the iPhone 4, is out in a lot more countries today unlocked or tied to service operators. While we probably won't hear about the iPhone 5 till next year, here's a retrospective look at how far the iPhone has come since 2007. Feel free to speculate about what the next-generation iPhone may bring in our Talkback below. Hardware Notable features Software Notable features iPhone (Released June 29, 2007) 3.5-inch 480 x 320-pixel touchscreen 4, 8 and 16GB capacities 412MHz processor 128MB RAM Quad-band GSM Wi-Fi 2-megapixel camera iPhone OS 1.0 Software is managed with iTunes Home screen houses 12 main applications with an additional four on the dock at the bottom edge Multitouch support Proximity sensor shuts off screen when phone is brought close to face Visual voice mail (only in some countries) Virtual onscreen keyboard comes with predictive texting HTML email supported iPod digital music player Integrated support for Google Maps Safari browser iPhone 3G (Released June 11, 2008) 3.5-inch 480 x 320-pixel touchscreen 8 and 16GB capacities 412MHz processor 128MB RAM Quad-band GSM Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA Assisted GPS 2-megapixel camera 3.5mm audio jack now flush with the surface compared with the recessed port on the earlier iPhone iPhone OS 2.0 Screen capture feature Introduction of App Store Support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync Support for MobileMe service Enhanced enterprise features include enforced security policies and remote wipe Scientific calendar in landscape mode Geotagging support in-camera Parental controls iPhone 3GS (Released June 19, 2009) 3.5-inch 480 x 320-pixel touchscreen with fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating 8, 16 and 32GB capacities 600MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor 256MB RAM 3-megapixel camera with VGA video capture and autofocus iPhone OS 3.0 Cut, copy and paste options Multimedia messaging enabled Compass app Tap to Focus for camera VGA video capture at 30fps "Find My iPhone" feature enabled with MobileMe Support for HTML5 Voice Control (also works for the iPod player) Bluetooth stereo A2DP enabled Developer APIs enable push notification for third-party apps Spotlight search Digital compass Support for Nike + iPod Landscape keyboard iPhone 4 (Released June 24, 2010) 3.5-inch 960 x 640-pixel aluminosilicate glass-covered IPS touchscreen 16 and 32GB capacities 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor 512MB RAM Penta-band UMTS 802.11n 3-axis gyroscope Dual-mic noise cancellation microSIM card 5-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with 720p HD video capture at 30fps Built-in LED flash Front 0.3-megapixel camera iOS 4.0 Multitasking support iAd mobile advertising network introduced Custom backgrounds Support for multiple Exchange accounts Home screen folders (12 apps per folder) Redesigned home screen dock Google, Yahoo and Bing search engines iBook and iMovie applications FaceTime video calling over Wi-Fi Game Center coming later this year   * Note that there were several updates for each version of the operating system between the four major releases.