Slideshow: A brief history of the iPhone

September 12, 2012

02:17 PM

iPhone Debuts

In honor of the September 12 announcement of the iPhone 5, we have compiled this slideshow showing the past incarnations of the iPhone with a nod to its presence in the healthcare IT space. Click on images to enlarge.

The first iPhone was announced on January 9, 2007 and released June 29, 2007. The release met with enthusiastic response from the public – the one-millionth phone was sold just five days after the release. With its limited features and neophyte status, the iPhone did not yet break into health IT.

Photos from Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons

iPhone 3G

The photo above shows a comparison of the first iPhone (left) and the next iteration of the device, the iPhone 3G. Released on July 11, 2008, the iPhone 3G was similar to the original iPhone, but featured new hardware such as Assisted GPS and 3G data. The software also improved, with iPhone OS 2.0 launching at the same time. The new operating system introduced the App Store.

With the introduction of the App Store, those in health IT realized the potential for putting healthcare applications in the hands of doctors and patients. Many vendors were quick to launch their own applications, focusing on clinical reference, remote reporting, accessing patient data and more.

[See also: iPhone 'ups the game' on health info.]

iPhone 3GS

Released on June 19, 2009, the iPhone 3GS looks almost identical to the iPhone 3G, but it featured better speed, an improved camera with video capability, twice the memory of the 3G and more. The smartphone continued to make waves within healthcare IT – more apps, ease of communication and portability made the iPhone the ideal choice for busy doctors.

iPhone 4

A new design for the device featured an uninsulated stainless steel frame that acts as the phone’s antenna. The iPhone 4, released on June 24, 2010, marks the first use of Apple’s “retina display” on the device and was the first iPhone to have both a rear-facing and forward-facing camera.

The device’s advanced software and hardware appealed to physicians, who found the iPhone to be an elegant tool for accessing information and communicating with colleagues and patients.

[See also: iPhone to dominate U.S. physician smartphone market.]

iPhone 4S

Released on October, 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S featured further upgrades to interface and software capabilities, but it is Siri that made the biggest splash. Siri is an automated voice control system that allows users to operate the phone hands-free. This function allows busy physicians to access the phone’s features while performing other tasks or dictating clinical notes.

Viewing images for diagnosis, sharing data and images with other physicians and accessing various apps are some of the many benefits of the latest iPhones. As Apple continues to innovate, the iPhone will likely have an even greater impact on health IT.

[See also: New iPhone 4S features expanded medical use.]

iPhone 5

On September 12, 2012, Apple announced the iPhone 5. According to Apple, it is the thinnest smartphone in the world - 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than the iPhone 4S. The new "A6" chip makes the iPhone 5's processor twice as fast as its predecessor. It is the first iPhone to have 4G-LTE connectivity.