To call the Apple iPhone a mere cell phone is almost an insult to the device itself. It may have a couple of similarities of a normal cellular phone, like voice call and text, but that is where the similarities end. With its revolutionary touch screen controls and the actual iPhone software itself, it was not surprising that the release of the first version in 2007 created such a stir. And once it became possible to download all sorts of extra little applications to customize one’s iPhone, it was no wonder that each release that followed was greeted like some sort of divine revelation.

What produced the huge sensation over the Apple iPhone when it came out was the new touch display technologies, combined with the phone, texting and online abilities that already existed in other products, such as the Blackberry. But as enhancement progressed, people began hearing iPhone application news, that is, news that they’d be able to design or download individual applications to personalize their phones. This created a new fired up buzz even while people were still enamoured of the locked 07 edition.

The iphones launch was not a global affair by any means. Of course its first release was in its own home, the United States, in June of 2007. Over the following months, the iphone was rolled out across much of Europe and the UK, as distribution agreements were reached with large European network operators on an exclusive basis. And everywhere the iPhone news spread, people continued lining up and paying high prices to get an iPhone of their own.

Apple have used some very tactical marketing with the iphone, small upgrades to keep the device buzz alive and in great demand. The actual difference among the 3G and 3GS variations was primarily one of performance and some extra video capabilities, but it was the leap in function between the 2007 Apple iPhone and the 3G version in 2008 that really pushed it over the top. Even with some issue over high prices, the ability to download useful programs has taken the idea of a simple cellular phone and raised into another world entirely.

Other phone manufactures have jumped on the band wagon and tried to create a competitor for the iphone, although it would be justified to say that it seems no one is capable of knocking Apple of its iphone perch at the present time..

A good example of some hoped competition for the iPhone would be the HTC Hero that was launched in the second half of 2009. It reportedly was going to compete with the iphone, but although there was quite a buzz about the HTC device, it never really hit the mark. With its Goole Android operating system and the opportunity to download thousands of apps it was looking fairly good for the HTC Hero. Unfortunately for HTC it was let down by a low spec hardware and painfully slow processor, along with several clumsy hardware buttons at the bottom of the screen that could be pressed in error, quickly closing your session.

About the author:

David Stuart is a self employed advertiser and marketer in the UK. Working from home he operates a small Mobile Phone Insurance business on the internet, offering gadget insurance cover such as iPhone Insurance right through to laptop computers and even ipad insurance for apples newest offering.