how about recalling some reactions from when the device was announced?

10 years of iPhone: how about recalling some reactions from when the device was announced?

Yesterday, we celebrated with Apple the ten year anniversary the company’s darling, the iPhone. Everyone is tired of reading and writing about how revolutionary this device was. Nowadays, we know this very well and we recognize, of course; but do you remember how people reacted to the arrival of an innovative device with a screen multi-touch, «built-in» iPod, phone, internet … all together?

As it’s always good to laugh, remember, Telegraph made a compilation of reactions and «predictions» that we can certainly say were wrong (and ugly).

Steve Ballmer: «There is no chance of significant market share»

To start off by cracking the beak, Microsoft CEO (at that time) Steve Ballmer gave Apple a nice laugh when asked about the new Apple device. According to him, the iPhone would be a “niche” product and that Microsoft would dominate the smartphone market.

There is no chance that the iPhone will capture a significant share of the market. No chance. It is a $ 500 subsidized item. They can earn a lot of money. But if you really take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that are sold, I would rather have our software on 60%, 70% or 80% of them than have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple can Tue.

It is always good to remember that in the third quarter of 2016, the iPhone captured 11.5% of the market; Windows Phone had 0.4%… ?

TechCrunch: «We predict the iPhone will be a failure»

Writing about the “future” of technology, Seth Porges said that the Apple device had been announced without it being ready, saying that the touchscreen would be useless.

This virtual keyboard will be just as useful for writing emails and text messages as a disk phone. Don’t be surprised if a sizable portion of iPhone buyers express some remorse for having exchanged their BlackBerries when they spend an extra hour a day sending emails.

In English, the phrase used by Porges was “[…] the iPhone Will Bomb ”. Perhaps, if they had said that about the Galaxy Note7, the prediction would be correct. Sorry, sorry … I couldn’t resist!

It is hilarious to read this, but he was not wrong about everything – at least the parts that talk about low battery and the fragility of the screens really make sense.

Nokia: “It doesn’t change our way of thinking”

Nokia E65, model from the same time as the iPhone launch

Nokia E65, model from the same time as the iPhone launch

Before the arrival of the iPhone, everyone had a Nokia (I already had one and you, unless you’re brand new[a], probably already had). At the time, run by Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia was the largest smartphone company in the world and did not seem to be affected by the arrival of the new “companion”.

I don’t think what we’ve seen so far (from Apple) is something that, in any case, would require us to change our thinking when it comes to openness, our software and our business approach.

But the fact that Apple is entering the market in general, I think it will stimulate it, is very clear. I think it will be good for the industry and I welcome it.

In 2010, Kallasvuo was replaced by Stephen Elop who, a year later, wrote a note to his employees saying that the company was unable to adapt.

John Dvorak: «Apple should have given up on the iPhone»

A market can change dramatically overnight, and in technology, this seems to happen much more often than companies would like. But it seems that John Dvorak did not take this into account when he said that there would be no more place in the mobile market due to the duopoly Nokia and Motorola.

The problem here is that while Apple can do well in fashion as well as any other company, there is no evidence that it can be fast enough. These phones go in and out of fashion so quickly that, unless Apple has half a dozen variants, your phone, even if immediately successful, will be forgotten within three months.

There is no likelihood that Apple will be successful in such a competitive industry. Even in the industry where it is clearly a pioneer, the personal computer, it had to compete with Microsoft and can only sustain a 5% market share.

The most hilarious part of the publication is when he says that Apple is risking its reputation and that, if it were smart, it would pass on the iPhone to some “sucker” to make with the income of others. The best part? “She should do this immediately before it is too late. Samsung could be a candidate. ”

BlackBerry: “It’s just another competitor”

iPhone (Apple) vs.  BlackBerry (RIM)

It is just another participant in an already very crowded space, with many choices for consumers. But when it comes to changing something for the BlackBerry, I think it’s overkill.

Ten years on and… the company announced last year that it will no longer produce cell phones.

The Telegraph: “Impressively simple”

Of course, because it is the vehicle that brought these pearls together, the Telegraph I wouldn’t be out of that. But, unlike those mentioned above, they were able to test the new device first and then deliver the verdict.

I do not apologize at all for my enthusiasm for this device. It is simply one of the most beautiful gadgets I have ever tested. It is, at the same time, incredibly simple and surprisingly intelligent, the idiot-proof interface does a great job of distracting you to avoid thinking that, in fact, the iPhone is – for all intents and purposes – a handheld; it runs a stripped down version of Apple’s acclaimed computer operating system, OS X, and that’s one of the reasons hackers have been investigating the iPhone with such enthusiasm: they almost smell the latent computing power hidden inside it.

Not to say that everything is flowers, they did not forget to mention the lack of 3G and the fact that it was available on only one operator there in the United Kingdom (as well as in the USA).

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That, of course, just to name a few!

The comments turned out to be a lot of fun because the story was a little (a lot?) Different from what most predicted. But, anyway, it is very interesting to see how things change without us noticing.

In fact, if you are already on this nostalgic wave, how about taking a look at our own reviews of the iPhone generations? We haven’t had it since the very first, but if you have fun reading and comparing, like me, here are all the ones we’ve done: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and iPhone 7 Plus.

[via Daring Fireball]