2007: Year of the iPhone

 

2007: Year of the iPhone

If I had to pick one word to sum up the wireless industry in 2007 it would have to be iPhone. Not too long ago the only differentiating factor among wireless handsets (all of which were the same shade of black) was whether they had a flip or a candy bar shape. Apple's iPhone transformed wireless handsets with its innovative design and touch screen. The device finally showed consumers that mobile computing was not only possible but actually fun to do.

The staff at FierceWireless was skeptical about whether the iPhone would live up to its hype. Although the device has some flaws, for the most part we believe it delivered on its promise. In November, Time magazine even named the iPhone its "Invention of the Year," citing the device's design and touch screen. In my 15-plus years covering the wireless industry, I've never seen anything quite like the iPhone debut in late June and I wonder if any new handset launch will ever be able to top the hype and buzz that Apple generated for this device.

Of course, 2007 was about much more than the iPhone. FierceWireless editor Brian Dolan and I have compiled below the list of what we think were the top 5 stories of 2007. It was quite a game-changing year. -Sue 

P.S. Please note FierceWireless will not publish next week, and will return Wednesday, January 2. See you in 2008.