Apple has today announced an incredible milestone – the sale of its billionth iPhone since the device was released back in 2007 and reinvented the smartphone.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made the announcement that Apple had recently sold the billionth iPhone at an employee meeting in Cupertino.
“iPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history,” Cook said.
“It’s become more than a constant companion. iPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day.
“Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone.
“We never set out to make the most, but we’ve always set out to make the best products that make a difference.
“Thank you to everyone at Apple for helping change the world every day.”
The first iPhone was launched in the US on June 29, 2007.
Australia’s first iPhone – the iPhone 3G – went on sale in July 2008 with the iPhone 3GS following in June 2009.
The following year ahead of the iPhone 4 – the US version of the Gizmodo tech site revealed the iPhone 4 to the world ahead of its official launch in June 2010.
The second controversy to hit the iPhone 4 would follow soon after its release to customers with “Antennagate”.
There were claims the phone’s signal strength could be compromised when held in a “deathgrip” as the device’s metal frame on the outside of the device also doubled as the antenna.
https://youtu.be/JStD52zx1dE
It prompted then CEO Steve Jobs to hold a special press event to disprove the claims but he still offered refunds to any customers who were unhappy.
The iPhone 4S saw the introduction of Siri in 2011, a new design, larger displays and the Lightning port with the iPhone 5 in 2012 and the introduction of Touch ID with the iPhone 5S in 2013.
There was another new design and even larger screens with the iPhone 6 in 2014 and the introduction of Live Photos and 3D Touch with the iPhone 6S. The iPhone SE – a smaller iPhone the same size as the iPhone 5S, was released earlier this year.
The iPhone 7 is due for release in September/October this year and will reportedly been even thinner and will not have a headphone port.
The nine years it has taken the iPhone to hit a billion sales is actually pretty short when compared to some other similar milestones.
– Earth’s population didn’t reach a billion human inhabitants until 1805.
– The car industry was 131 years old when there were 1 billion cars on the road globally.
– In took personal computers 27 years to sell 1 billion units (according to Gartner).
– Disney Theme Parks welcomes its billionth guest 49 years after opening
– Warren Buffet took 60 years to become a billionaire
– Coca Cola needed 58 years to manufacture 1 billion gallons of Coca Cola syrup.
