English Lesson
Steve Jobs and the iPhone
[based on actual events]
Getting Started

an Image
How the iPhone Changed the Mobile Industry

Introduction

In 2007, Apple introduced the first iPhone. At that time, most people used mobile phones mainly for calling and sending text messages. The iPhone was different. It was not just a phone - it was a small computer that could fit in your pocket. Today, we will explore how this device changed the mobile industry forever.

The Mobile World Before iPhone

Before the iPhone, most mobile phones had physical keyboards or keypads. Popular devices included:

These phones could make calls and send messages. Some advanced models could play simple games, take low-quality photos, or browse simplified websites. However, using the internet on these phones was often difficult and limited.

What Made the iPhone Different

The iPhone introduced several important features that changed how we think about mobile devices:

1. Touch-Based Interface

The iPhone had a large touchscreen that covered most of the device. Unlike earlier touchscreens that required a stylus (a small pen), the iPhone screen responded to finger touches. This made it much easier and more natural to use.

Example: On older phones, you might press the "5" key three times to type the letter "L". On the iPhone, you simply touched the "L" on the on-screen keyboard.

2. Real Internet Browsing

The iPhone could display full websites, not just simplified mobile versions. This was revolutionary.

Example: If you wanted to check a news website on an old phone, you would see a very basic version with mostly text. On the iPhone, you could see the same website you would see on a computer.

3. Multi-Touch Gestures

The iPhone introduced new ways to interact with content using finger gestures.

Example: To zoom in on a photo or website, you could simply spread two fingers apart on the screen (pinch-to-zoom). To scroll, you could flick your finger up or down.

4. App Store

In 2008, Apple launched the App Store, allowing developers to create applications for iPhone users.

Example: Before this, phone software was controlled by manufacturers and mobile operators. Now, anyone could create apps, leading to millions of new applications - from games like Angry Birds to useful tools like weather apps and navigation services.

The Impact on Industry

After the iPhone, the mobile industry changed dramatically:

1. Design Changes

Companies that wanted to compete had to redesign their phones.

Example: Samsung, HTC, and other manufacturers began producing touchscreen smartphones with fewer physical buttons, focusing on larger screens.

2. Operating Systems Evolved

Google developed Android as an alternative to Apple's iOS.

Example: Today, most smartphones run either iOS (Apple) or Android (Google), both systems designed primarily for touchscreen interaction.

3. Mobile Internet Usage Grew

People started using their phones more for internet browsing and less for calling.

Example: By 2016, more people accessed the internet through mobile devices than through desktop computers.

4. New Industries Emerged

The smartphone revolution created entirely new businesses.

Example: Companies like Uber, Instagram, and TikTok could not exist without smartphones. These apps rely on features like touchscreens, GPS, cameras, and constant internet connectivity.

Conclusion

The iPhone wasn't the first smartphone or touchscreen device, but it combined existing technologies in a new, user-friendly way. This combination changed how we think about mobile phones and what we expect them to do.

Today, our smartphones are our cameras, maps, music players, gaming devices, shopping tools, banking devices, and social connection tools. This transformation began with the iPhone's new approach to mobile technology.

Vocabulary Help

Comprehension Questions
1. What was the main purpose of mobile phones before the iPhone was introduced?
Ans: "At that time, most people used mobile phones mainly for calling and sending text messages."
2. Name two examples of popular mobile devices that existed before the iPhone.
Ans: "Popular devices included: Nokia phones with number keypads, BlackBerry devices with full QWERTY keyboards, Flip phones that opened and closed."
3. What was different about the iPhone's touchscreen compared to earlier touchscreens?
Ans: "Unlike earlier touchscreens that required a stylus (a small pen), the iPhone screen responded to finger touches."
4. How did internet browsing on the iPhone differ from older phones?
Ans: "The iPhone could display full websites, not just simplified mobile versions."
5. What important platform did Apple launch in 2008?
Ans: "In 2008, Apple launched the App Store, allowing developers to create applications for iPhone users."
6. According to the article, by what year were more people accessing the internet through mobile devices than through desktop computers?
Ans: "By 2016, more people accessed the internet through mobile devices than through desktop computers."
7. Name two examples of companies mentioned in the article that could not exist without smartphones.
Ans: "Companies like Uber, Instagram, and TikTok could not exist without smartphones."
Discussion
Have a discussion about the specific ways the phone is integrated into your work and life. Talk about your favorite practical apps, social apps, and entertainment apps.