It was less than five years back that history was made.

The exact date was January 9, 2007.

Until that moment, no one ever thought a phone could be sexy.

After all, in the pre-iPhone era a mobile phone was just a device for talking or texting. Or playing a rudimentary game while you were standing in line at the grocery store or waiting for your train at the subway station.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Customers wait in line outside Apple Store in New York City
before launch of first iPhone, June 28, 2007 (Pix: SI)

Phone gets a Personality

But Steve Jobs and his company Apple changed everything.

Steve announced the iPhone on January 9, 2007 and gave a personality to the mobile phone.

A mobile phone was no longer merely a phone but an iPhone combining a mobile phone, an entertainment device and an Internet gadget in a sleek casing with a touchscreen.

A phone suddenly became a cool, sexy, a must-have gadget.

You could talk, you could listen to music and you could watch video.

Digital Nirvana was here, right in your hand.

In malls, in subways, on the train, the haves were now swiping their phones to the great envy of the non-haves.

E-mails sent from the iPhone now had the following line automatically appended – Sent from my iPhone.

iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone. We are all born with the ultimate pointing device—our fingers—and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse. – Apple CEO Steve Jobs

Apple iPhone – A Timeline

January 9, 2007 – Apple announces iPhone. Combines a mobile phone, widescreen iPod and Internet device. Two touchscreen models 4GB ($499) and 8GB ($599).

June 28, 2007 – SI goes to New York City to see the frenzy outside Apple store on 5th Avenue, near Central Park.

June 29, 2007 – iPhone available for purchase. People line up days before launch at Apple stores.

February 5, 2008 – Apple adds 16GB model

June 9, 2008 – Apple Unveils iPhone 3G. Twice as fast as first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software. $199 for 8GB model and $299 for 16GB.

June 2010 – SI buys iPhone 3G and is overall delighted with the device but disappointed with the low-resolution camera.

June 8, 2009 – Apple Announces the iPhone 3GS. Faster processor, longer battery life, 3 megapixel autofocus camera, video recording and hands free voice control. 16GB model costs $199 and 32GB model is $299

June 19, 2009 – iPhone 3GS starts shipping

June 7, 2010 – Apple Launches iPhone 4. Retina display, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 processor, a 3-axis gyro and up to 40% longer talk time.

June 24,2010 – iPhone 4 available for purchase.

July 2010 – SI buys iPhone 4 and is very happy with the 5-megapixel camera.

October 4, 2011 – Apple announces iPhone 4S.

October 14, 2011 – iPhone 4S will ship on October 14 in the U.S..

  iphone, iPhone 4S