10 years of the iPhone; Reshaping technology
Technology giant Apple has always been known for bringing the most disruptive and innovative concepts to the table, be it smartphones, tablets or PCs. And to run these pieces of hardware, Apple has its own arsenal of operating systems which are capable of conquering the battle at the software front.
The very first industry that the iPhone toppled was the PC industry. Until the iPhone hit the shelves, PC sales were around 400 million a year, but as the iPhone made it to the pockets of the consumers, the PC became less important. Before the iPhone, the only way users can access the web was through a PC or a laptop.
The iPhone brought a revolution, thus paving the way for its Android equivalents which were inspired by Apple’s master-stroke and provided many with an option to stay connected regardless of their location. As a result, the PC industry now ships around 275 to 290 million PCs a year.
After the PC industry, the telecom industry was the most impacted one after the iPhone had become a household name. Voice over IP already started pushing the telecom companies such as AT&T and Verizon to move to digital voice instead of traditional landline voice delivery methods. But the arrival of the iPhone forced them out of the voice business altogether.
The iPhone then focused its attention towards the movie and TV businesses. The iPhone made it possible for the users to enjoy movies or TV shows on the go. This also forced studios to expand their distribution methods and include streaming services for mobile devices.
The iPhone’s advent also impacted the gaming industry. It took mobile gaming to a new level and created an entirely different category of touch responsive games. This also allowed various gaming firms like Nintendo to expand their business by bringing their iconic franchises to the mobile platform.
Last but not the least; the iPhone also impacted the health industry. Today, the iPhone is capable of monitoring a person’s health metrics and can also provide them with detailed health information. Users can get help from professionals or receive health advice virtually anytime, regardless of their location. Although this is just the beginning, but it is certain the impact on the health industry will further expand.
The iPhone today is responsible for Apple’s 60 per cent revenue, shattering sales records every passing year. Apple has sold over 1.3 billion units of the iPhone, cashing in more than $800 billion in return. The company is already on its way to become world’s first trillion dollar firm. With Apple poised to contribute to budding technologies like AR, we can see the company transforming the industries in ways we cannot imagine.