During the development process of Apple’s first iPhone, a rather strange iPhone prototype inspired by the iPod emerged. This prototype, announced by Tony Fadell, the inventor of the iPod, is quite different from Steve Jobs’ current iPhone design.
Apple’s secret iPhone prototype: Strange design inspired by iPod
The secret prototype was intended to present a design resembling an iPod. In this device, like the iPod, “Click Wheel” and there is an additional feature at the bottom of the device that can be rotated to be used as a phone.
The feature of this design is that instead of a touch interface on the screen mechanical control was to be used. Interestingly, this prototype a built-in camera and its colors are similar to the first iPhone released later. The highlights of the interesting device are as follows:
- Click wheel: The iconic control wheel found on the iPod was also designed as the main control mechanism in this iPhone prototype.
- Rotation mechanism: Users would be able to switch to the phone function by rotating the bottom of the device.
- Built-in camera: The prototype had a built-in camera feature, like later iPhone models.
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Apple co-founder and then-CEO Steve Jobs was initially supportive of the idea of an Apple phone based on the iPod. For Jobs, the “Click Wheel” was a distinctive feature of the brand. However, when it was decided that this concept was not functional and could not be successful, the idea changed and eventually the modern iPhone design with a touch screen emerged.
This secret iPhone prototype reveals Apple’s early ideas about mobile device design and how those ideas evolved. The design of today’s iPhone can be considered a major milestone in Apple’s innovation journey.
The existence of this prototype revealed Apple’s constant pursuit of technological innovation and user experience design. What do you think about this design? You can write your opinions in the comments section below.