iPhone is the most influential gadget ever: TIME

Photo of author

By Larry Banks

TIME Magazine has named the iPhone as the most influential gadget of all time in an article published on Tuesday, including dozens of products from Sony, IBM, HP and other big names in tech.

TIME’s “50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time” covers tech products from home computers to games systems and portable electronics. Some of the companies and devices no longer exist, but have had a huge impact over the past few decades.

Even though the iPhone is in first place, the real star is Apple’s mobile ecosystem. The device introduced millions to the first really compelling smartphone platform, but of even more importance was the launch in 2008 of the App Store for iPhone OS (which later became known as iOS in 2010).

“The iPhone popularized the mobile app, forever changing how we communicate, play games, shop, work, and complete many everyday tasks”, says TIME, adding that iPhone marked a fundamental shift in computing.

The original Mac and iPod also came in the top 10, at number 3 and 9 respectively. Sony has two entries in the top 5 with the Trinitron TV at number 2 and the Walkman at number 4. Two more Apple devices made the list – the iPad at number 25 and the iBook at number 38.

The influence of Apple can also be seen in the TIME top 50 in devices like Motorola’s Droid, which was included for making Android so popular. Connected smart devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Fitbit wearable also made the list.

SOURCE: TIME.

Images Courtesy of DepositPhotos