With the launch of Apple’s iPhone back in 2007, the world of mobile changed completely because the iPhone went on to create a revolution and change the way mobile phones were known to be used.
But how would you react if you got to know that once upon a time, when Apple and Steve Jobs were working on the smartphone, they were about to scrap the whole idea as there were a number of issues that the inventor thought they’ll never be able to solve.
This information comes in from straight from Sir Jony Ive who is the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple. Ive said the following in his speech made during a British Business conference,
We nearly shelved the phone because we thought there were fundamental problems that we can’t solve. With the early prototypes, I held the phone to my ear and my ear [would] dial the number. You have to detect all sorts of ear-shapes and chin shapes, skin colour and hairdo… that was one of just many examples where we really thought, perhaps this isn’t going to work.
I’ve also went on to say that the ultimate goal at Apple is not to make money but to make great products.
Our goal absolutely at Apple is not to make money. This may sound a little flippant, but it’s the truth. Our goal and what gets us excited is to try to make great products. We trust that if we are successful people will like them, and if we are operationally competent we will make revenue, but we are very clear about our goal.
So what do you think? Was the iPhone saved for the good or should it have been shelved forever?