Steve Jobs Once Tossed the Original iPhone Across a Room to Impress Journalists

[Makosuke]

Someone tweeted it but I can't find a tweet but basically the original iPhone has more or less same pixels as Apple Watch Series 7. 😳
That's how time flies.

Bloomberg (for as much as their reporting is worth) gave the Series 7 screen resolution as 396x484, which would compare to the original iPhone's 480x320. As far as total pixels go, when you factor in the rounded corners on the watch, they probably do have pretty close to the same number of pixels, although squared off the new larger watches are actually a bit bigger.

I didn't even bother trying to compare specs from the original iPhone to today's model since the advances are in most cases multiple orders of magnitude. It only even became interesting pitting today's phone against that era's top-of-line full-sized computers.

I remember some time around probably the iPhone 3GS or maybe 4 thinking, "The day will come not all that long in the future when I can buy an iPhone that is faster than any desktop of today. It feels weird, and almost inconceivable but it's inevitable." I'm not quite sure when that day was, but we're certainly past it now, and the mind-boggling power of the little boxes in our pockets has become so common that I didn't even notice by the time it happened.

 

[ian87w]

135g… so you are saying it sort of floated down when he threw it?

No.
Did they stop teaching physics in school or something? 🤔

 

[matrix07]

Bloomberg (for as much as their reporting is worth) gave the Series 7 screen resolution as 396x484, which would compare to the original iPhone's 480x320.

Yep. 480x320 of iPhone vs 484x396 of S7. The watch actually has MORE pixels 😳

 

[ChineseBots]

With all due respect, what did he tried to prove by throwing an iPhone into a "carpeted floor"?😂

 

[laptech]

With all due respect, what did he tried to prove by throwing an iPhone into a "carpeted floor"?😂

That carpets do not break iphones 😂

 

[cute-ladybug-2019]

Tim Cook once showed an unreleased iPhone in a front pants pocket to Impress Journalists

 

[zapmymac]

I bought the gen1 Palm Pre instead of iPhone. I remember thinking how awful on-screen keyboards were up to that point. The Palm had a nice physical keyboard & cards & 3G 🤩

 

[nfl46]

I remember getting the iPhone in 2007 and everyone kept asking, “Wow, can I see it?” I didn’t think it would be this insanely popular 14 years later.

 

[chucker23n1]

Cheng revealed that when one reporter asked about the iPhone's durability, Jobs reacted by tossing the prototype he was holding into the air toward the center of the room, resulting in a small gasp followed by immediate silence as the device hit the carpeted floor. Cheng said the iPhone survived unscathed, adding that the move was the kind of calculated risk that Jobs was known to take as a showman.

"The memory underscores the kind of lengths Jobs went to in order to make an impression," wrote Cheng. "Imagine how disastrous it would've been if that iPhone had broken or shut down in front of so many journalists."

Yeah, he probably knew what he was doing, though. It's a glass front and aluminum back. (Assuming this prototype wasn't one of the early ones with a plastic front.)

We once had a Panasonic salesperson who proudly threw one of their tablets against a wall. In our building. Worked fine, because that was part of the sales pitch — those things are ugly as sin, but boy can they take a beating.

The most successful electronic product in history. It has become the technology equivalent of crack cocaine.
It scares me that my 4, pre-high school, kids are all asking when they'll be old enough to get their own.

Why? The adverse effects for kids are vastly overstated. Oddly, the "they won't get outside!" argument never comes up with reading books.

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

I basically owe my career to this man and his company. I won’t lie, I cried that entire evening when I heard the news. Rest easy Steve.

I won't lie to you, the only famous person's death that ever hit me in any way was Steve Jobs. It was his love and explanations of design and engineering that I used to like. I always like peering behind the curtain and very few companies bother to explain their manufacturing processes quite like Apple did.

 

[MrGimper]

I won't lie to you, the only famous person's death that ever hit me in any way was Steve Jobs. It was his love and explanations of design and engineering that I used to like. I always like peering behind the curtain and very few companies bother to explain their manufacturing processes quite like Apple did.

With you there ....

 

[orthorim]

I believe the Ceramic Shield hype. I dropped my 12 Pro Max face down on the supermarket floor on Saturday morning and there isn’t even so much as a scuff. It’s a really well built device.

It's something not talked about much but classic Apple way- to keep improving the product in ways that are not flashy but that really matter.

I loved the first waterproof iPhone (having lost an iPhone 3G to a motorbike ride in the rain with a surprisingly not so waterproof rain jacket)...

They also introduced waterproofing so slowly, they even released the iP6 with mild water proofing, and IP7 without announcing that it's waterproof.

Durability improvements are really impressive.

Come to think of it, maybe it's the time I go naked on my iP11 pro!

 

[orthorim]

Oh and of course, he was the best showman/presenter of all times.

Also there'd be no way in h... he'd be requiring v - anything for anyone. He'd be on our side. _/\_

 

[IIGS User]

The most successful electronic product in history. It has become the technology equivalent of crack cocaine.
It scares me that my 4, pre-high school, kids are all asking when they'll be old enough to get their own.
Strange to think that Jobs had to sell it to anyone when first introduced.

With all due respect, it's not the technological equivalent of "crack cocaine". Crack cocaine has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It's bad for everyone regardless of their station in life. Crack cocaine is illegal, produced from ingredients like gasoline, camp fuel, and other toxic chemicals that people wouldn't otherwise ingest.

If your four pre high school kids are asking when they should get an iPhone, it's YOUR JOB as a PARENT to tell them no until you think they're old enough to have or until have reached the age of emancipation and can obtain one of their own means. Being a parent has meant saying no for generations to all sorts of dangerous products that have existed for centuries.

So, it's time to put your big boy pants on and as mommy or daddy say no. When you think they have reached the maturity level to possess such an item, then you make that choice.

I find my iPhone rather useful for a number of non addicting non destructive purposes. Primarily Apple music and maps connected to Car Play in my vehicle. It helps me avoid the traffic that pops up in my area, and when I do get stuck, I have pretty much every song ever recorded at my fingertips. I use my local transit system's app for train schedules and to see when the next commuter train is coming when I travel into the city. This saves me time and makes it easier for me to effectively get to my destination.

I use the app my medical care team uses to track my test results, appointments, and diagnoses without having to make a phone call. I renew my prescriptions and make follow up appointments on their app as well.

I use my Apple watch (paired to my phone) to track workouts, record my heart rate, get a quick idea as to what the weather is doing, and use Apple pay almost daily. I also use my CU's banking app to check my balance and make money transfers.

A smart phone is a dual edged sword, just like any other piece of technology, entertainment, or potent substance. This is why we have parental restrictions on these things. Because they are so potent and powerful they can cause extraordinary good, or bad.


I would be more concerned with the effect social media is having on children and society. IMHO any benefit social media has on society is far far outweighed by the havoc and destruction it causes. I personally swore it off almost a year ago, and next to living sober for 3+ years, it's probably the best decision I've made in a decade.

 

[azentropy]

No. Because AT&T allowed Apple to control everything, including software update something which no carrier had allowed phone manufacturers before.

Apple actually made the deal and development with Cingular. I believe AT&T acquired Cingular before the iPhone was released/shipped.

 

[AltecX]

I was wondering the same thing. I feel like people underestimate how great Tim Apple has done as a CEO. Sure he doesn’t have the flair for theater like SJ did (who does) but his work as logistics head and then/now CEO have resulted in a Herculean bedrock from which the next generation of leaders in the company can confidently operate.

My issue with Tim is that products under him are simply iterative. Even the M1 Mac which is a great step still only felt like the next logical one for the company if not now then in the short future. I don't feel like they are really introducing anything that's a great new product since Steves passing. The closest would be the Apple Watch but even that is greatly due to the fact Google seems to have totally lost the ball when it comes to Android Wear and let it flounder.

MacOS to me feels barely different than it did after the code cleanup for 10.6. It has fallen well behind Windows in Multitasking, and Windows 11 snapping improvements just make it levels better. As much as I love using my M1 Air, Multi-tasking on my Surface is just worlds better. I had hoped by this point iPads would use iOS when in tablet mode but then would dock to give you full MacOS.

 

[AltecX]

With all due respect, it's not the technological equivalent of "crack cocaine". Crack cocaine has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It's bad for everyone regardless of their station in life. Crack cocaine is illegal, produced from ingredients like gasoline, camp fuel, and other toxic chemicals that people wouldn't otherwise ingest.

If your four pre high school kids are asking when they should get an iPhone, it's YOUR JOB as a PARENT to tell them no until you think they're old enough to have or until have reached the age of emancipation and can obtain one of their own means. Being a parent has meant saying no for generations to all sorts of dangerous products that have existed for centuries.

So, it's time to put your big boy pants on and as mommy or daddy say no. When you think they have reached the maturity level to possess such an item, then you make that choice.

I find my iPhone rather useful for a number of non addicting non destructive purposes. Primarily Apple music and maps connected to Car Play in my vehicle. It helps me avoid the traffic that pops up in my area, and when I do get stuck, I have pretty much every song ever recorded at my fingertips. I use my local transit system's app for train schedules and to see when the next commuter train is coming when I travel into the city. This saves me time and makes it easier for me to effectively get to my destination.

I use the app my medical care team uses to track my test results, appointments, and diagnoses without having to make a phone call. I renew my prescriptions and make follow up appointments on their app as well.

I use my Apple watch (paired to my phone) to track workouts, record my heart rate, get a quick idea as to what the weather is doing, and use Apple pay almost daily. I also use my CU's banking app to check my balance and make money transfers.

A smart phone is a dual edged sword, just like any other piece of technology, entertainment, or potent substance. This is why we have parental restrictions on these things. Because they are so potent and powerful they can cause extraordinary good, or bad.


I would be more concerned with the effect social media is having on children and society. IMHO any benefit social media has on society is far far outweighed by the havoc and destruction it causes. I personally swore it off almost a year ago, and next to living sober for 3+ years, it's probably the best decision I've made in a decade.

Tell me you missed the point without telling me you missed the point.

 

[bayportbob]

I started following Steve and his tech products with the early Apple kits. When the Mac in a box was released my department bought about 5 of them along with a Lisa. we bought almost every release there was for an apple computer even after Steve moved on. eventually we bought a Next computer when Steve started that company up. we had every Newton model that was released, loved the bad hand writing recognition. Steve was the ultimate showman and technology developer. "we sell what people didn't realize they needed when we release it". was shocked when he announced that he was really ill. was saddened when he quickly passed. I miss his presentations. he was one of a kind.

 

[laptech]

With all due respect, it's not the technological equivalent of "crack cocaine". Crack cocaine has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It's bad for everyone regardless of their station in life. Crack cocaine is illegal, produced from ingredients like gasoline, camp fuel, and other toxic chemicals that people wouldn't otherwise ingest.

If your four pre high school kids are asking when they should get an iPhone, it's YOUR JOB as a PARENT to tell them no until you think they're old enough to have or until have reached the age of emancipation and can obtain one of their own means. Being a parent has meant saying no for generations to all sorts of dangerous products that have existed for centuries.

So, it's time to put your big boy pants on and as mommy or daddy say no. When you think they have reached the maturity level to possess such an item, then you make that choice.

I find my iPhone rather useful for a number of non addicting non destructive purposes. Primarily Apple music and maps connected to Car Play in my vehicle. It helps me avoid the traffic that pops up in my area, and when I do get stuck, I have pretty much every song ever recorded at my fingertips. I use my local transit system's app for train schedules and to see when the next commuter train is coming when I travel into the city. This saves me time and makes it easier for me to effectively get to my destination.

I use the app my medical care team uses to track my test results, appointments, and diagnoses without having to make a phone call. I renew my prescriptions and make follow up appointments on their app as well.

I use my Apple watch (paired to my phone) to track workouts, record my heart rate, get a quick idea as to what the weather is doing, and use Apple pay almost daily. I also use my CU's banking app to check my balance and make money transfers.

A smart phone is a dual edged sword, just like any other piece of technology, entertainment, or potent substance. This is why we have parental restrictions on these things. Because they are so potent and powerful they can cause extraordinary good, or bad.


I would be more concerned with the effect social media is having on children and society. IMHO any benefit social media has on society is far far outweighed by the havoc and destruction it causes. I personally swore it off almost a year ago, and next to living sober for 3+ years, it's probably the best decision I've made in a decade.

You've certainly missed the point that was being made. The point being there was always numerous different products but never one that hit the mark that the majority wanted.

 

[cosmichobo]

Having a computer with a gps in your pocket and 24/7 connectivity to the internet is the infrastructure that has enabled Uber and Lime Scooters etc…

I'm not blaming iPhone here... But - the same features have also brought about the social media storm that's changed all Western cultures. Before the mainstream simplicity of iPhone, something like Facebook would never have become as popular as it has done, along with Insta and all the others.

Reading today about Facebook's understanding that anger is a great motivator to bring its users back again and again, inciting them, and thus - earning more ad revenue... I'm really not sure what the future holds for that arena.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Funny that I never owned a smart phone. Although I do own an iPad Pro. It does everything an iphone does, except making a real phone call.

For the phone, I just got a flip phone. Really cheap. 20 bucks for the device and 20 bucks every 3 months to keep the service running. Yeach, it can’t do YouTube, web browsing, facetime or GPS. But for just making phone calls and texting, it’s is good enough for me.

There's an app for that... actually apps. See VOIP apps like Talkatone and Google Voice. They will easily make that iPad have phone & texting functions. I've been using an iPad Mini as my "phone" for many years... obviously not holding it up to an ear to take calls (though that CAN work) but using buds + microphone for phone use (just like many do with phones).

If your pro has cellular, you can probably move the SIM from that flip phone to your pro to switch over service and phone number. Cellular iPads make iPad-as-phone-too able to work both within wifi zones and anywhere you can tap into a cell signal. There is data-only rates for cellular as cheap as $5/month for continuous service or on-demand (when you need it) if the bulk of your time happens to be in wifi zones (like me). My ANNUAL cellular bill the last 2 years was $90 and this year looks like it may be $60. I don't feel like I'm missing much of anything I'd get with what is considered a true phone... and much enjoy carrying one less device.

You can try VOIP apps for free and see for yourself. Talkatone will give you a free number. Set it up and then text yourself from your flip phone. Then reply. That will show texting functionality both ways. Then have someone call your number and take a call. It will sound just as good as your flip phone. Then call someone from your iPad. It will sound just as good to them. It all "just works" much like making iPads double as flashlights, tape measures, iPods, cameras, tape recorders, etc. Relative to some other more novel and challenging uses (music studio, video production, etc), phone & text service is relatively simple to build into apps. There are many good VOIP apps available for iOS.

 

[I7guy]

it's insane just how important the iphone was. if you had to pick a single product that changed human lives (in the last couple decades) it's the iphone. i don't want to sound like an insane apple fanboy but seriously... where would the world be if smartphones didn't become popular and apps didn't exist in their current form.

i'd like to see that alternative timeline just out of curiosity. i know there were "smartphones" before iPhone but there just weren't the same. iPhone really kicked it off. that thing blew my mind when it came out. an ipod that could make calls and go on the internet? i remember going into an apple store after school and calling my dad "i'm using an iphone!" lol

I maybe would go for insulin or something like that. While the iphone proved a point about smartphone interfaces, what really changed peoples lives was the constant technological push to make these devices do 90% of what your home computer or laptop could do. This includes ios, android and windows.

 

[anthonymoody]

This post made me track down and rewatch the full video which ultimately features execs from google, yahoo, Cingular (!), etc. Eric Schmidt from google in particular is very interesting to watch now with hindsight. Knowing that at that very moment behind the scenes Google was scrambling to remake their mobile OS into a full rip off of iPhone...man. Bittersweet.

 

[waffffffle]

Tuesday marks 10 years since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away, and those who met him have begun to share stories about his life.

CNET's Roger Cheng today recounted his memory of Jobs visiting The Wall Street Journal's headquarters in New York to offer him and a small group of other reporters an early look at a prototype iPhone, shortly after the device was unveiled in 2007.

Cheng revealed that when one reporter asked about the iPhone's durability, Jobs reacted by tossing the prototype he was holding into the air toward the center of the room, resulting in a small gasp followed by immediate silence as the device hit the carpeted floor. Cheng said the iPhone survived unscathed, adding that the move was the kind of calculated risk that Jobs was known to take as a showman.

"The memory underscores the kind of lengths Jobs went to in order to make an impression," wrote Cheng. "Imagine how disastrous it would've been if that iPhone had broken or shut down in front of so many journalists."

Jobs famously introduced the original iPhone as if it were three separate products: a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough internet communications device. The crowd at Macworld San Francisco erupted with cheerful applause upon realizing that Jobs was referring to a single device.

Jobs passed away October 5, 2011 at the age of 56. Apple maintains a Remembering Steve page on its website with messages from people all over the world.

Article Link: Steve Jobs Once Tossed the Original iPhone Across a Room to Impress Journalists

The iPhone Steve threw had a plastic screen. Gorilla Glass wasn't added until later in the process, announced only 2 weeks prior to the start of sale in June 2007.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I did the same demonstration to my friends and family on a regular basis with my iPhone 3GS.