This article is part of the ’15 Years of Quench’ series where we look back at some of the games ‘n’ gizmos that share a history with us.
By Andrea Drobna
Twelve years ago, Quench covered the release of a device that would change modern life forever, the iPhone. When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, he called it ÔÇÿa device like no other: an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator all in one.ÔÇÖ It was the first of its kind, destined to deliver the ultimate combination of sleek design, social capability, and most importantly, a hub for all things media. It was accompanied by the IOS operating system, a capacitive touchscreen, and a slew of groundbreaking innovations – yet somehow it was more straightforward than many of the systems preceding it. The iPhone was an overnight revolution, but just how far have we come since?
The modern standards for smartphones frankly embarrass the original iPhone. 2G has become 4G. 480p resolution, which seemed so crystal clear back in the day, now rendered a blurry mess by the 4K powerhouses of today. The original iPhoneÔÇÖs 2MP camera has evolved into 12MP, blurring the lines between professional and amateur photography like never before. Over the years, there have been key changes in the development of smartphones, and as they diversify their functionality, they also centralise our needs into one space. Smartphones now carry the weight of a society ever-dependent on instant connectivity – but not everyone embraced the revolution with open arms.
Prior to the iPhone, smartphones proved too complex for the general public, finding a niche home in the hands of businesspeople. The wider consumer market remained indifferent until the launch of the Blackberry in 2006; according to Verge, the Blackberry brought to life ÔÇÿthe best text-input method ever designed for a smartphoneÔÇÖ, even appealing to teenagers on the lookout for new ways to stay connected. Despite BlackberryÔÇÖs rise to market power, the landscape remained nascent and undefined until the launch of the iPhone. A year later, Google launched the first Android phone – the HTC Dream – and so began the era of Android and iOS as the two dominant operating systems on the market.
Its journey from a niche tool for business to a ubiquitous consumer device is quite unlike any other. Just how have these small devices changed the way we communicate and interact? Are they a necessity of 21st century urban life? According to Redcode, in the UK alone, 69% of adults own a smartphone, and that number is only expected to increase. Simply finding someone who doesnÔÇÖt own a smartphone is a task. We use them to communicate with our friends, read the news, send emails, post content on social media, the list goes on. They have both replaced and provided convenient alternatives to other single-purpose devices on a consumer level.
With newer models racking up four-digit pricetags, the smartphone market can seem impenetrable from a fiscally troubled standpoint – but even the most rudimentary smartphones of today offer access to third party apps and 4G internet. With smart devices lasting longer than ever, and enjoying a more flexible market than ever, serviceable smartphones are at their most accessible. They have to; whether the future is bright or a little closer to Black Mirror, smartphones have completely revolutionised the way we navigate the modern cultural and professional landscape, and like it or not, they will only grow in importance.