The iPhone Prototype: Blast from the Past

We all think that iPhones and Crackberrys are the phones to beat right now. That's why looking at how Apple came to design the iPhone is so interesting. It reveals some of the thoughts and ideas that went into the winning design and functionality of the premier touchscreen phone. Recently, a older looking iPhone was put on eBay. It didn't last long before Apple had it removed, but it gave us some insights on the iPhone.

Last week, a guy from Illinois had an early iPhone prototype for sale on eBay. It has since been removed after being live for a few days. There was a video on YouTube which was also pulled down. What amazed most people is how fast the thing was. The working prototype appeared to be able to send and receive calls, receive SMS but it had some issues. It was a prototype after all. Based on the serial numbers, it was built in 2006. It was running an earlier version of the OS that we all love.

I find it fascinating to examine prototypes of successful consumer devices. It makes you realize how much thought went into getting the device just right. The way that they screen is, it makes us think that the prototype is a lot older than it first appears to be. Personally, I thought that this one came from the late nineties. The screen is what makes you think that. That and the old-school icons. Still, it was interesting to see pictures of it. [via Mobile Crunch]