Changed everything within less than a decade

A mobile revolution that has transformed the modern world

Ten years ago, January 9, 2007, was a milestone in the history of computing: The launch of the first iPhone.

It transformed the humble mobile phone from a one-trick tool for communication into a catch-all platform whose functionality is constantly evolving.

It wasn’t the first “smartphone,” or the first phone with a camera. It wasn’t the first mobile device to have a touchscreen, or to let users install apps. But it tied numerous disparate features together in a cohesive, well-designed whole – kickstarting a mobile revolution that has transformed the modern world.

Since then, more than 1 billion iPhones have been sold worldwide.

Remember who said the iPhone would fail

Back in 2007 there where many prominent people who thought the iPhone would fail. Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft was one of them. This was what he thought:

There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It’s a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I’d prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get.

The unstoppable rise of mobile

Since 2007 the global app economy has undergone significant transformation, rapidly shifting from entertainment focused apps and games towards enterprise focused mobile apps.

Today is is essential for all businesses to possess a mobile strategy. Mobile apps enable businesses to drive new streams of revenue – and enhance existing revenue opportunities – and enable brands to create deeper levels of engagement with new and existing users.

There are now more than 2 million apps in the App Store that have been downloaded 130 billion times.

And the iPhone and App Store have spawned industries that couldn’t exist without smartphones. There’d be no Uber, MyTaxi, WhatsApp, Instagram or Snapchat.

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Torben Rick

Experienced senior executive, both at a strategic and operational level, with strong track record in developing, driving and managing business improvement, development and change management. International experience from management positions in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom