The iPhone timeline: how it all began

But will you access it from an iPhone?
But will you access it from an iPhone?

It seems some people might just have a little too much time on their hands. The chaps at iPhonegold.org have put together a timeline detailing all the ins and outs of how the Apple mobile evolved, from conception right through to the new iteration.

There's not a lot left secret about how the device was grown internationally, as every shred of rumour was picked up and mulled over incessantly. But it is nice to watch it all unfold before your very eyes.

Quick change

It's easy to forget how fast things move in the mobile world. It seems like aeons ago that the rumours began, but it was back in 2002 when the question was posed to Jobs: 'Will there be an iPhone?'

His response: 'One never knows. We don't usually discuss products we haven't announced.'

He knew.

Anyway, if you're interested in all the development, the trademark registering, the price drops and everything else, it's on iPhonegold.org's site.

But be warned: it makes reference to the Motorola ROKR, the 'iTunes-enabled phone',which still leaves some tech-heads waking in the night screaming.

Gareth Beavis
Formerly Global Editor in Chief

Gareth has been part of the consumer technology world in a career spanning three decades. He started life as a staff writer on the fledgling TechRadar, and has grown with the site (primarily as phones, tablets and wearables editor) until becoming Global Editor in Chief in 2018. Gareth has written over 4,000 articles for TechRadar, has contributed expert insight to a number of other publications, chaired panels on zeitgeist technologies, presented at the Gadget Show Live as well as representing the brand on TV and radio for multiple channels including Sky, BBC, ITV and Al-Jazeera. Passionate about fitness, he can bore anyone rigid about stress management, sleep tracking, heart rate variance as well as bemoaning something about the latest iPhone, Galaxy or OLED TV.