It was January 9, 2007, when Steve Jobs gave the world its first iPhone. The iconic device was debuted at Macworld in San Francisco by Jobs who called it “a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone and a breakthrough internet communications device.”
To mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, Apple has put out a press release highlighting the key achievements of the device so far, along with hints at what’s to come in the future. According to Apple, the company has sold over 1 billion units of the iPhone over 10 years. “iPhone is an essential part of our customers' lives, and today more than ever it is redefining the way we communicate, entertain, work and live,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
Cook also added that “the best is yet to come.” This could be a hint at the upcoming iPhone 8, which is expected to be a special anniversary edition of the device. Rumours circulating the tech world point at a major redesign of the iPhone in its 10th anniversary avatar. The phone is tipped to come with an OLED display and wireless charging. It is also being said that instead of the aluminium casing, the iPhone 8 will have an all glass enclosure. In addition, the display is expected to support a sapphire glass protection which is far better than current Gorilla Glass 4.
Apple is also moving rapidly towards increasing its manufacturing capacity in 2017. The company has almost confirmed its India manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, with a few regulatory hurdles that remain to be crossed.
"It is amazing that from the very first iPhone through to today's newest iPhone 7 Plus, it has remained the gold standard by which all other smartphones are judged. For many of us, iPhone has become the most essential device in our lives and we love it," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. "iPhone is how we make voice and FaceTime calls, how we shoot and share Live Photos and 4K videos, how we listen to streaming music, how we use social media, how we play games, how we get directions and find new places, how we pay for things, how we surf the web, do email, manage our contacts and calendars, how we listen to podcasts, watch TV, movies and sports, and how we manage our fitness and health. iPhone has become all of these things and more. And I believe we are just getting started.”