TECH: The Apple iPhone is one of the most popular devices of all time.
By Stephen Park, Staff Writer
It has been five years since Apple Inc. first unveiled the iPhone to the general public. Since then, many other phones do just as much, if not more, than the iPhone, yet its sales are stronger than ever. With iPhones now making up almost half of all smartphones owned, just what is it about this piece of technology that makes it so popular? Apple owes its success to two of its products’ qualities: image and simplicity. While many things contribute to the mighty success of the phone, key elements stand out as to why it is one of the most popular technological devices ever made.
Much of the iPhone’s success can be credited to its design. Its sharp corners, simplistic design and small frame have not been seen in any other phone. The iPhone will not break even after some drops. It cuts out a lot of the useless buttons and bulk as well, keeping only a power button and a small circular button for returning to the home screen. Since the iPhone’s debut in 2007, the design has been widely praised and has even lead other leading manufacturers to design their phones with similar interfaces.
A significant contribution to the iPhone’s success is its multimedia features. In addition to being a phone, the iPhone doubles as an iPod, one of the world’s most popular music devices. Users can access and buy music, movies, etc. straight from their phone. The Apple App Store is home to over 300,000 apps that are all available at any time.
One of the top reasons for the iPhone’s commercial success is that it is considered “cool” right now. The endless time spent waiting in line and the countless money spent on upgrades say it all. “When you see people with them [iPhones], I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, they get it,”‘ Jason Sfetko, a designer at Complex magazine in New York, said. But in regard to seeing someone with a BlackBerry, “I might think, maybe they’re an accountant or something. They’re answering too many e-mails.”