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Original iPhone's First Four Reviewers Reminisce About Getting Their Hands on It for the First Time

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With the iPhone's tenth birthday coming up this week, CBS Sunday Morning aired a segment today taking a look back at the development and launch of the original iPhone.


The segment from David Pogue includes a roundtable session with Pogue, Walt Mossberg, Steven Levy, and Ed Baig, the four journalists who received review units of the iPhone in 2007 just prior to its launch.

"After three days," said Mossberg, "I was ready to throw this thing out of the window for trying to type on glass."

"It's ten years later," said Levy, "and half the emails I get still have a little message underneath saying, 'Typed on phone, forgive typos'!"

Pogue also sits down for a brief interview with Bas Ording, one of the key Apple engineers behind the first iPhone.

Part of what made the iPhone a hit was that objects in that touchscreen world have their own physics. You can thank Bas Ording for some of it, like how lists have momentum when you flick them, or how they do a little bounce when you get to the end.

"And now, a billion people are using your idea," said Pogue.

"Is it a billion? That's a lot!" Ording laughed.

"Did anyone, at the time, on this team, have any idea how big this could be?"

"Oh, no, not at all. I didn't, for sure."

The segment doesn't break any new ground on the background of the iPhone, but it's a nice piece highlighting the milestone anniversary of the device that changed the world.

Top Rated Comments

Y
yanksfan114
114 months ago
It really puts it in perspective watching this video just how much has changed since the iPhone came. Today we have phones that break over 100mbps on LTE, screens with such high resolutions that we can't see the pixels, sharing messages and photos with the tap of a finger, tapping on ANY song you want to listen to and have it play instantly, and taking pictures we would have never thought possible without a high-end camera. The iPhone truly has made the world a better place. Even with Android still in it ;) just kidding
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
robertpatryk
114 months ago
"how they do a little bounce when you get to the end."

I remember that as I got my first iPhone in 2008 and I immediately felt in love.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hastings101 Avatar
Hastings101
114 months ago
ok, who here likes the original interface as opposed to iOS 7+ more?
I do, I'm not really a fan of the flat and lifeless trend anymore. I think Microsoft started it with Windows Phone and now it's everywhere. I will take glossy, colorful "skeuomorphism" over it any day.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
BigHonkingDeal
114 months ago
I remember watching Steve's keynote and said if this thing can do half of what it promised I need to have one.... Was in line on day one and have not looked back. (well side ways maybe)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sunny1990 Avatar
Sunny1990
114 months ago
iPhone really changed the world.it was a class leading product of its time.

I do remember what it's was like to hold the original iPhone for the first time.:)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blueflame Avatar
blueflame
114 months ago
I remember being there. I had a press pass. Was doing a macworld promo as it was one of the last.

Had to be in the hall at 3am backstage.

I could literally feel the tention. There was large food tables set up behind the the stage in a large loading area. Filled with breakfast coffee and juice.

About 5am, steve jobs came in witn phil schiller and john mayer. I didnt really know who mayer was at the time. I am not really musical.

All three sat at a table and shook hands.'talking. Not one of them took a drink or ate.

They were so focused. You could tell this was a big moment.

When by 6am. Long lines outside the center to get in. Tons of journalist. It was so special being back there. Before anyone else was let in for hours. Feeling it. Seeing the setup. EMpty display tables and a empty glass case.

I watched the keynote from the left side of the stage. Watched the reveal in awe.

Even being here that early, i never saw the phone until after the presentstion. Then led out to all the glass encased displays. You could tell. Even unfinished. This was a change in tech.

Really feel lucky to have been there for the reveal. This shifted communication for the rest of history.

Lookingn back it feels like inwas there for thr launch of the first manned mission to the moon.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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